Communities living around wildlife habitats have been urged to take a leading role in conservation efforts to promote peaceful coexistence between people and wildlife.
Speaking during the Ura Gate Cultural Festival at Shauri Grounds in Tharaka Nithi County, in a speech read on his behalf by Deputy Director Abdi Doti, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Director General Prof. Erastus Kanga said conservation could only succeed when communities living around protected areas were actively involved.
Prof. Kanga said wildlife did not recognise administrative boundaries, making cooperation among communities, conservation agencies and governments essential.
“Conservation must be from communities and not from a distance. KWS will continue engaging communities and leaders around protected areas to make the landscape safer for both wildlife and people,” said Prof. Kanga.
He said KWS would also continue supporting the Ura Gate Festival, describing it as an important platform for bringing communities together and promoting conservation.
“Ura Gate matters to KWS and tells us that conservation belongs to us all,” Prof. Kanga said.
He urged young people to explore opportunities in conservation-related careers, including photography, filmmaking, art and community mobilisation.
“When communities thrive, conservation thrives and when conservation thrives, the country thrives,” he said.
Prof. Kanga urged residents to stop cutting down trees for charcoal and instead work with conservation agencies to protect the environment and wildlife.
“We are good neighbours and you should help us in conservation. Wildlife belongs to all of us and we cannot do this alone,” he said.
Dorothy Naivasha, a resident, said the festival had provided a peaceful platform for bringing communities together and urged future county leadership to continue supporting community groups involved in the initiative.
Maara MP Kareke Mbiuki, who attended the festival, said culture was an important unifying factor for the people of Tharaka Nithi and should be used to strengthen cohesion and promote tourism.
He conveyed a message of goodwill from Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano and Prof. Kanga.
Mbiuki said KWS had constructed a water pan at Karisa, which he said would improve water harvesting and benefit local residents.
He called for unity among residents, saying political differences should not divide the community.
The MP also outlined his political priorities, saying that if elected governor, he would establish a ward development fund and ensure every ward had at least a Level Three hospital.
He further called for political unity in the Mt Kenya East region around Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, saying leaders should support the national government to realise seamless development.
by Dickson Mwiti
