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Call to Protect Disappearing Wetlands Dominate
World Wetlands Day Celebrations 

On 2nd February 2020, World Wide Fund for Nature-Kenya (WWF-Kenya) partnered with, various stakeholders including the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to highlight the urgent need to reduce increasing stress on wetlands in order to address water blindness in the country.  This year’s celebration was held at Enapuiyapui Swamp, in Nakuru County, a key wetland in one of the largest water towers in Kenya - Mau Forest. 

According to WWF’s Living Planet Report 2018, freshwater biodiversity has declined by more than 80 per cent, over the last four decades,  a shocking indicator of the damage done to wetlands across the globe.

Mazingira Challenge Highlighted Youth Innovation Potential for Sustainability

We supported the Mazingira challenge 2020 at the University of Nairobi. An event organised by East African Wildlife Society (EAWS) and Kenya Forest Working Group (KFWG), to raise awareness on conservation to university students and youth across the country. This year the event sought to empower the youth by leveraging on their innovative talent, to solve conservation problems, and what better way to do so than through WWF-Kenya’s innovation program, Panda Labs - a hub where we accelerate environmental solutions through bold collaborations and channel funds for environmental innovation. 

“We aim to develop co-created innovative solutions with  Mazingira Challenge participants via our pioneer Innovation program PandaLabs.  Ideally, scalable? and/or replicable? solutions? which will meaningfully empower and benefit people.” Confrey Alianji -  Innovation Strategist at WWF-Kenya.

Surveillance and Security Equipment  Donation to Help Stop Poaching 

To enhance the zero poaching strategy, Catherine Ndegwa- Conservation Director, WWF-Kenya,  handed over surveillance and security equipment to Brigadier (Rtd.) John Waweru- Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Director-General. The donation to KWS included FLIR thermal cameras, which detect heat instead of light at night, key in finding and arresting poachers in the dark.  

Through a project dubbed Kifaru Rising, FLIR Systems, Inc. and, WWF partnered to deploy FLIR thermal imaging technology to help improve wildlife ranger safety and contribute to their mission to stop illegal wildlife poaching of rhinos across 10 parks and game reserves in Kenya.

Renewable Energy Technology Agricultural Challenges 

Integrating renewable energy technologies into the agricultural sector is a relatively new initiative. Due to changes in rainfall patterns as a result of climate change, the agricultural sector cannot rely solely on rainfall. WWF-Kenya is supporting the installation of solar-powered pumps for agricultural community groups in Kwale and Lamu counties. By doing this, we promote sustainable irrigation and create an alternative source of income that is not labour-intensive and is environmentally friendly. Farmers are able to cut down on expenses on agricultural expenses such as fuel and labour force, hence, giving them an opportunity to gain maximum profits.

President Uhuru Kenyatta's Pledge for Nature at UNGA75 

President Uhuru Kenyatta announced Kenya''s backing of global efforts to restore the world''s biodiversity and put nature on a path to recovery by 2030.
 

Speaking ahead of the United Nations General Assembly Summit on Biodiversity, the Head of State joined 65 Heads of states from around the world on the 28th of September 2020, to endorse a Leaders Pledge for Nature, committing to reverse nature loss for sustainable development by: 

• Moving to sustainable production and consumption 
• Reducing pollution 
• Eliminating ocean plastic waste 
• Investing in nature and repurposing harmful investments 
• Switching to deforestation-free agriculture 
• A green and just recovery

The Living Planet Report 2020 is Out!

Human-Elephant Conflict Mitigation in the Amboseli Land Scape

School going children from seven schools in the Amboseli landscape, Kajiado County, will no longer have to cut short their lessons to go and search for water or due to elephant invasions. Thanks to our human-elephant conflict mitigation project which saw the installation of three strand solar-powered electric fences in the schools and construction of six concrete tanks with a capacity of 50,000 litres in six schools and the rehabilitation of one tank with a capacity of 100,000 litres in one school. 
 

"When schools open after the pandemic our children will come to a safe school and can also access water. We are happy and we look forward to handing over to the community."
Stephen Sentero - Sub County Director, Education

The mitigation measures and interventions will enhance access to clean water and education.

"We had three really good teachers. They had gone to look for water when they were chased by elephants. They left right after the incident. We''ve never recovered in terms of our performance. This project is a life-changer."
Benjamin Lemushira-Head Teacher Kunchu Primary

The schools that benefited from the 10 million shillings project are: Kunchu, Esarunoto, Oloikara, Oloisinya Chyulu, Noonkoben, Oldonyo Sampu and Ilkellunyeti.

New Report Reveals Unexpected Underwater Diversity in the Mara River Basin!

#Imara - Stand with the River

In the spirit of valuing our rivers under the Blue Heart of Africa, together with WWF- Africa and WWF Tanzania we rolled out the Imara Campaign. A campaign which aims to evoke our emotional connection with the Mara River ecosystem while promoting good freshwater stewardship. 
 

In English, it's 'I mara!'' - a pledge for support. It's a rallying call saying 'I'm for the Mara River'. It's a dedication and an acceptance! Above all, it includes and involves ME in the first person: 'I' and it spells out the name of the river. In Swahili, it's 'Imara', it's a call to stand firm by the pledge.

Women and Youth Combating Illegal Wildlife Trade Seminar 

We convened a one of a kind three Day, three hours per Day Virtual Seminar on the role of youth and women in combating wildlife crime. 
 

The Webinars which were held between 21st - 23rd September 2020 were anchored on objectives of East African Community (EAC) Strategy to combat poaching, illegal trade and trafficking of wildlife and wildlife products - Conserving Natural Capital and Enhancing Collaborative Management of Transboundary Resource (CONNECT); a USAID funded project which aims to strengthen the conservation and management of natural resources shared by East African countries including wildlife and landscapes popularly referred to as transboundary natural resources. The project is implemented by a consortium of regional organizations led by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) through the Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) in partnership with TRAFFIC - the wildlife trade monitoring network, and the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF). The project is implemented in collaboration with, and through policy guidance from, the EAC Secretariat and the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC).

"It is important that we create opportunities to engage. This will increase awareness of the role of youth and & women in preventing wildlife crime as well as identify key opportunities and challenges."
Drew Mcvey - WWF''s East Africa Wildlife Crime Technical Advisor 

" Youth and women play a critical role in preventing wildlife crime, they also have solutions."
Jean Baptiste Havugimana - Director Productive Sectors, East African Community

Follow the conversation - #Connect4Wildlife

Exchange Conference for Journalist Reporting on Illegal Wildlife Trade Held 

In the month of September, cyclists came out in their numbers to demand justice for cyclists who have been killed and injured on Kenyan roads due to reckless driving and poorly designed road infrastructure with little or no consideration of the needs and safety of pedestrians and cyclists.
 

Through the campaign initiatives #SharetheRoad and #MyLane2, cyclists in different towns across the country are now demanding a holistic Non-Motorised Transport policy which will ensure Cyclists and Pedestrians are protected by law. 

WWF-Kenya is supporting #MyLane2 Campaign - a public awareness and advocacy campaign aimed at enhancing and encouraging the use of Non-Motorized transport options through the call for the adoption of a comprehensive NMT policy. This is anchored on safety for all on Kenyan roads and the need to urgently transition to sustainable practices towards cutting down on carbon emissions below 2.0 through the adoption of sustainable infrastructure.

"Dear motorists, as you drive, kindly be patient with us. Our helmets don''t have airbags. We are just mere road users writing our stories the best way we know-how. #sharethroad #MyLane2" 
 Cyprine Odada - Urban Planner & Organizer Critical Mass Nairobi

You don''t want him or her to miss out on our next Panda Club conservation education session targeting young people. Panda Club is a WWF-Kenya initiative aimed at enhancing practical environmental and conservation learning among school going children between 7-18 years.