Nairobi: The Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Rebecca Miano, has emphasized the crucial role conservancies play in boosting the country’s economy, pledging increased government funding to support them. Ms. Miano noted that conservancies have been impacted by international policy changes, prompting the government to step in and support conservation efforts. “In the current budget, we are making proposals to support the conservancies that have been affected by changes of policies internationally,” she stated.
According to Kenya News Agency, while speaking at the Wildlife Tourism College of Maasai Mara during its first graduation ceremony, Ms. Miano highlighted that addressing human-wildlife conflict is a priority for the current administration. She stressed the importance of conservation in preventing these conflicts and acknowledged the significant role conservancies play. The State Department of Wildlife continues to support conservancies by providing infrastructure and water resources.
Ms. Miano also noted the substantial contribution of tourism to the country’s economy, with 2.4 million foreign tourists visiting in 2024, representing a 16 percent increase compared to the previous year. The department projects over 3 million international tourists in 2025 and more than 5 million domestic tourists. She commended Narok County for its conservation efforts, describing it as a role model for managing national reserves and contributing to tourism. “I encourage all counties with national reserves to work with us to get our support to operationalize the national reserves,” she reiterated.
Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu, who accompanied the CS, expressed concern over the impact of the international policy to withdraw USAID funding, noting a loss of Sh. 838.5 million intended for conservation efforts. “We have to see how we will deal with this big gap. When making the June budget, please, madam CS, help us as we sort out this USAID issue. It is a big loss to our nation,” he stated. Governor Ntutu highlighted that conservancies serve as buffer zones for wildlife from the Maasai Mara National Reserve and urged the State Department of Wildlife to expedite compensation for families affected by wildlife incidents.
Daniel Sopia, CEO of the Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association, explained that the primary economic activities of the conservancies involve taking care of both wild and domestic animals. He revealed that there are 24 conservancies owned by 17,000 landowners, who collectively receive Sh. 100 million monthly in land lease payments.
The event also marked the graduation of 40 students in various disciplines, including tour guiding and operations, food and beverage, housekeeping and laundry operations, and catering and hotel supervision. The ceremony was led by the institute chair of the board of trustees, Professor James Ole Kiyiapi, and the institute principal, Moriaso Nabaala.