The Kenyan government has launched a Ksh20.8 billion conservation programme expected to create more than 22,800 jobs while supporting wildlife protection, ecosystem restoration and economic opportunities for communities across 31 counties.
The Thamani Asili Programme was launched by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) on Wednesday, October 21, at Tsavo West National Park in Taita Taveta County.
The initiative brings together the Kenyan government, KWS, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Enduring Earth and other conservation partners.
According to KWS, the programme is designed to establish sustainable, long-term financing for wildlife conservation, ecosystem protection and community development.
Beyond conservation, the initiative is expected to strengthen livelihoods, improve water security, enhance climate resilience and promote sustainable economic growth.
Government commits Ksh10 billion
Under the programme, the Kenyan government has committed Ksh10 billion, which will be matched by an additional Ksh10 billion from other stakeholders.
KWS said the programme is valued at USD160 million (approximately Ksh20.8 billion) and will use the Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) model to provide long-term and predictable financing for conservation.
The government will contribute USD80 million, while another USD80 million in philanthropic funding will be mobilised through TNC and its alliance partner, Enduring Earth.
The financing model is intended to move conservation efforts away from short-term funding cycles towards predictable investment, institutional accountability and measurable results.
Programme to cover 31 counties
The Thamani Asili Programme will be implemented across 31 counties as Kenya seeks to increase the proportion of its lands, inland waters and near-shore ecosystems under effective conservation and management to at least 30 per cent.
KWS has outlined three major conservation targets under the programme.
These include establishing more than 2.7 million hectares of new conserved areas over the next 10 years, improving the management of existing conservation areas covering approximately 11 million hectares, and supporting communities to better manage a further 6 million hectares of conserved land.
Over 22,800 jobs expected
The programme is also expected to create significant employment opportunities in communities located around conservation areas.
According to KWS, the initiative could generate more than 22,800 jobs, comprising approximately 7,800 direct jobs and more than 15,000 indirect jobs.
The employment opportunities will span sectors including ecotourism, sustainable grazing, carbon initiatives and other nature-based enterprises.
The programme is expected to directly benefit approximately 1.6 million people, while another 3.9 million people could benefit from improved land governance and natural resource management.
Focus on conservation and economic development
The launch comes as Kenya intensifies efforts to expand the amount of land, inland waters and near-shore ecosystems under effective conservation and management.
Through the Thamani Asili Programme, the government and its partners aim to combine biodiversity protection with climate action and economic development.
The initiative is therefore expected to provide a long-term framework for protecting Kenya’s natural resources while creating sustainable economic opportunities for communities that depend on them.
The programme’s implementation over the next decade will focus on strengthening conservation systems, supporting communities and ensuring that Kenya’s natural resources contribute to both environmental protection and sustainable economic growth.
