The Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund (WCTF) in Kenya is developing its inaugural five-year strategy to address the country's wildlife conservation financing gap. The fund aims to unlock new sources of funding and forge stronger partnerships with government, the private sector, conservation organisations, and communities. This move comes as Kenya faces an estimated Sh20 billion annual funding requirement for wildlife conservation, with only about Sh8 billion currently available.
The WCTF's 2025–2030 Strategic Plan will enable the organisation to mobilize additional resources while establishing clear priorities for investing funds to deliver measurable conservation outcomes. According to stakeholders, the plan is crucial in addressing the Sh12 billion financing shortfall. The fund's mandate supports conservation interventions across national parks, national reserves, sanctuaries, conservancies, and communities living with wildlife.
Dr. Patrick Omondi, Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI), emphasised that the development of the WCTF's strategic plan is a critical step towards mobilising and channelling resources to priority conservation programmes. He highlighted the need to support recovery programmes for endangered and endemic wildlife species, including the hirola, Grevy’s zebra, eastern bongo, and the sable antelope.
Dr. Omondi urged the WCTF to engage policymakers and Parliament in discussions on public finance and budgetary allocations to strengthen support for wildlife conservation. He stressed the importance of greater government involvement in mobilising resources for wildlife conservation, noting that the sector plays a vital role in supporting tourism and sustaining community livelihoods.
The WCTF's strategic plan will be informed by the priorities of communities, conservancies, government agencies, conservation partners, research institutions, and the private sector. Dr. Omondi also prioritised the development of a national Red List that will profile critical and endemic species and help guide implementation of species recovery plans. A proposed wildlife overpass along the Magadi–Namanga road is an example of a potential flagship project that could benefit from additional conservation financing.
Acting CEO of the Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund, Caroline Tullo, urged stakeholders to remain actively engaged as the strategic plan is being developed. She emphasised that the success of the Fund will ultimately depend on partnerships, sustainable financing, and clear conservation priorities. A strong investment in both conservation activities and Kenya’s wildlife assets is necessary to ensure that communities and the wider economy benefit from the wildlife sector.
The consultations are expected to help determine the Fund’s priority areas, financing mechanisms, and approaches to ensuring that resources raised deliver measurable conservation and community benefits. Closing the financing gap will require Kenya to combine domestic public financing with private investment, philanthropic support, innovative financial instruments, and broader citizen participation in wildlife conservation.
Key points
- The Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund faces a Sh12 billion financing shortfall for wildlife conservation efforts in Kenya.
- The fund's 2025–2030 Strategic Plan aims to mobilize additional resources and establish clear priorities for investing funds.
- The plan will be informed by the priorities of various stakeholders, including communities, conservancies, and the private sector.
