Kitui County Government and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) have entered into partnership to work together to improve the conservation, protection, and management of wildlife and natural resources across Kitui County, with a particular emphasis on Kitui South Game Reserve.
Further, the partnership seeks to transform conservation efforts into tangible socio-economic benefits for the local communities, including job creation, improved livelihoods and increased revenue for the county.
Kitui Governor Dr. Julius Malombe and KWS Director General Prof. Erastus Kanga have expressed their commitment to fast-tracking the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in March 2024 between the County Government of Kitui and KWS.
Governor Malombe, while speaking when he hosted the KWS delegation at the County Headquarters Offices in Kitui town Tuesday, emphasised the importance of collaboration between both the local and national authorities in achieving sustainable development within the wildlife sector.
“This partnership is a critical step in ensuring that our natural resources are protected while also supporting the economic growth of our communities,” Dr. Malombe said.
Prof. Kanga highlighted the significance of the MoU in the broader context of Kenya’s national wildlife conservation strategy.
“Kenya has 33 national reserves across 33 counties, and this partnership with the Kitui County government is a vital component of our efforts to protect our rich biodiversity,” he noted.
The MoU outlines several key areas of collaboration, including wildlife conservation, community-based conservation, tourism development and capacity building.
The focus on the South Kitui Game Reserve is expected to play a central role in the implementation of the agreement, as it is a critical area for wildlife protection and biodiversity conservation.
The meeting also underscored the need for regular communication and coordination between Kitui County and KWS to ensure the successful execution of the MoU.
Both parties expressed their commitment to working together to achieve the goals outlined in the agreement.
Looking ahead, the partnership is expected to serve as a model for other counties in Kenya, demonstrating how local governments can work closely with the national agencies to achieve the set environmental and economic goals.
The collaboration is anticipated to lead to improved wildlife management, increased community participation in conservation efforts, and sustainable economic growth through ecotourism and wildlife-based industries.
As the implementation of the MoU gets underway, the Governor and KWS officials expressed confidence in the potential of this partnership to create lasting benefits for Kitui County and its people.
By Denson Mututo and Joy Mwangangi
