DP Kindiki: New KWS rangers will join fight against wildlife crime
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki presides over the passing out of Kenya Wildlife Service cadets at the KWS Law Enforcement Academy in Manyani, Taita-Taveta County
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has added 250 rangers in its largest recruitment drive in over ten years. The new officers are expected to strengthen wildlife protection amid rising human-wildlife conflict and growing conservation challenges.
The recruits graduated last Friday at the KWS Law Enforcement Academy in Manyani, Taita Taveta County, during a ceremony presided over by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
The cohort comprised 147 cadet officers who completed nine months of paramilitary training and 103 junior officers who underwent six months of promotional training.
The graduation comes as conservation agencies face mounting challenges. The 2025 wildlife census report noted that the 2022 drought disrupted animal movement patterns, forcing wildlife to stray into human settlements in search of water.
The resulting displacement intensified human-wildlife conflict and exposed already stressed animals to injury and death. The report highlighted the severe impact of climate change on biodiversity and raised concerns about the resilience of Kenya’s protected areas.
KWS Director-General Prof Erustus Kanga described the graduation as a critical step in strengthening the service’s institutional capacity.
Human-wildlife conflict
“Today, we pass out 250 officers who have completed intensive, purpose-driven training designed to equip them for the complex realities of conservation enforcement,” he said.
Prof Kanga emphasised the importance of community cooperation in mitigating human-wildlife conflict around national parks and conservancies.
Deputy President Kindiki said the new rangers would be vital in safeguarding habitats, supporting communities affected by animal incursions, and bolstering security across protected areas.
He linked wildlife protection to Kenya’s economic growth, particularly tourism, noting that earnings improved in 2024 and reiterating the government’s target of attracting five million visitors annually by 2027.
“Protecting our wildlife is not just a moral and ecological imperative; it is also an economic one. Safe, well-managed conservation spaces directly influence tourism growth and the livelihoods of communities that depend on it,” he said.
The government is also expanding the use of technology in wildlife protection. KWS is deploying surveillance systems, drones, satellite-linked patrol tools, and upgraded digital radio networks to improve coordination, enhance response times, and strengthen anti-poaching operations. These measures will enable rangers to operate more efficiently in high-risk areas and support broader ecosystem management.
Restoring ecological connectivity
The recruitment aligns with ongoing conservation initiatives aimed at restoring ecological connectivity. Key projects include the Nairobi National Park–Kapiti Wildlife Corridor, the Lake Elementaita–Nakuru corridor, and the expansion of the Tsavo West Rhino Sanctuary.
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano said the new rangers are joining KWS at a defining moment for conservation, as the service faces escalating human-wildlife conflict, climate-induced ecosystem stress, transnational wildlife crime, and limited financing.
“These officers will be at the forefront of efforts to protect Kenya’s biodiversity, safeguard communities, and secure our natural heritage for future generations,” she said.
