The day began with a march from Dorman’s Coffee Shop in Nanyuki Town to the KWS Nanyuki Station, with scouts and rangers moving in unison to mark the occasion. The ceremony officially opened with the singing of the National Anthem, after which the Master of Ceremony, Mvana Kassim, welcomed guests with a song emphasizing wildlife protection and the need to support youth employment. The programme concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding rangers from KWS and various conservancies, the acknowledgement of participating stakeholders, and a cake cutting to close the celebrations.

Participants marching from Dorman’s Coffee Shop to the KWS Laikipia Station as part of the World Rangers Day procession

KWS rangers reaffirmed their core values of Professionalism, Accountability, Resilience, and Leadership (PARL). They demonstrated rapid-response drills used during emergency scenarios, underscoring the discipline and endurance required to safeguard endangered species. Ol Jogi Conservancy showcased the vital role of their K9 unit in tracking and apprehending suspects, while the Mount Kenya Rescue Team presented their specialised equipment and techniques for high-altitude rescue missions.

Students from Brookwell Harmony School delivered a contemporary dance and drama performance that highlighted the shared responsibility of protecting biodiversity for future generations.

The Chief Guest, Mr. Patrick Muli, Deputy County Commissioner for Laikipia East, delivered a strong, heartfelt address. He underscored the importance of honouring rangers who have lost their lives in the line of duty and celebrated those who continue to ensure community safety and wildlife protection. He commended all rangers and conservancy staff for their dedication and service.

The event opened with energising team-building activities, including songs and dances, which set a lively tone before the official 10 km walk was flagged off. Participants followed a designated trail that offered a fully immersive experience through rugged terrain, dense woodland, towering trees, and striking rock formations that define the Mukogodo landscape.

Flagging off the 10km walk

A major highlight of the walk was the Soit Ekijape viewpoint overlooking the broader landscape. It provided an excellent opportunity for photographs, reflection, and appreciation of ongoing conservation efforts. The walk was well coordinated and secure, supported by a drone that monitored progress from above. Rangers ensured safety in the event of wildlife encounters, including elephants, while the Kenya Red Cross team remained on standby for any emergencies. The walk also created space for interaction and networking between participants, partners, and community members, all walking together through an area rich in biodiversity.

The day’s theme was brought to life during the tree planting session. The Chief Guest, Chief Conservator of Forests, Mr. Alex Lemarkoko, joined representatives from the Laikipia County Government, community leaders, and other stakeholders to plant ten ceremonial trees. LWF provided the seedlings for this activity, with an additional forty trees left behind for continued planting as part of the wider restoration efforts in the landscape.

In his remarks, the Chief Conservator highlighted the urgent need to mobilise more resources for ranger support and the protection of the Mukogodo Forest ecosystem. Wilson Tankei, Head of Protocol, delivered a vote of thanks and recognised all participants and partners for their commitment in making the event successful.

The day concluded with a short partnership recognition ceremony. Organizations, including LWF, that supported the organization of the event were recognized and appreciated with  branded t-shirts and Maasai shukas.

The Walk Wild 4th Edition successfully combined conservation, community engagement, and celebration. It strengthened collective resolve to protect the unique Laikipia landscape- one step and one tree at a time.

John Ochieng’, an expert in public policy, gender, and governance, facilitated the first session by analyzing the draft National Care Policy, which set the tone for the workshop discussions. Citing data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (2021), he highlighted that women spend an average of 3 hours and 36 minutes more per day on unpaid care work than men, a disparity that significantly affects even women in paid employment. Emphasis was placed on recognizing unpaid care and domestic work, a contribution that remains largely invisible and undervalued. Its burden falls disproportionately on women and girls, limiting their opportunities, personal development, leadership, and economic advancement.

The discussion expanded to examine how the draft National Care Policy aligns with SDG 5, Vision 2030, and Kenya’s medium-term development plans. Participants noted the urgent need to value care work, redistribute it more equitably between men and women, and invest in public services and infrastructure to ease the burden of care.

The second day focused on gender-responsive budgeting, using the Laikipia County Integrated Development Plan (2023–2027) as a case study. Participants analyzed how the plan addresses the needs of different groups and whether it ensures equitable resource allocation. The importance of meaningful public participation in the budget-making process was underscored to promote government accountability and ensure development priorities reflect actual community needs.

In the afternoon, Queenter Mbori, Executive Director of the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK), led a highly engaging session on gender-transformative reporting, citizen journalism, and media advocacy. She demonstrated how storytelling can drive social and policy change and highlighted the role of the media in promoting transparency and accountability in governance.

The final day moved the discussions from the workshop venue into the community through a dialogue session that brought together 80 community members from Juakali and Segera wards in Laikipia North sub-county. The dialogue, held in Juakali, provided participants with a platform to share personal experiences on unpaid care work. Their lived experiences highlighted the daily realities households face and how unpaid care responsibilities affect economic participation, leadership roles, and decision-making opportunities, especially for women. These stories reinforced the understanding that gender inequality can only be addressed by recognizing and valuing care work at the household level and by implementing policies that support sustainable interventions.

LWF remains committed to supporting gender equality initiatives that promote strong and empowered communities across Laikipia.

The day began with a presentation by Mary Mureithi, Assistant Programme Associate at PPI, who shared the findings of a study on Primary Health Care in Laikipia County. Prior to the workshop, PPI conducted an assessment in Lamuria Health Centre, Ndindika Sub-County Hospital, and Rumuruti Sub-County Hospital to examine how PHC services are financed, managed, and delivered at the facility level. The study focused on financial years 2022/23 and 2024/25, with particular attention to family planning services, governance, and public participation.

The findings revealed that a large portion of the PHC budget is spent on recurrent expenditure, covering salaries, food supplies, and consumables. As a result, there is limited or no funding for development projects, slowing down infrastructure improvements and affecting service quality. The study also highlighted weaknesses in procurement systems, which have contributed to slow utilisation of allocated funds and inefficient use of available resources.

Additional challenges identified included the lack of a dedicated budget for family planning, overreliance on external partners, poor documentation practices, and limited public participation in budgeting and decision-making processes. The Social Health Authority (SHA) was also found to be facing challenges that hinder effective service delivery. These insights formed the basis for the discussions that followed.

The second session was facilitated by Alice Gachigi, the Reproductive Health Coordinator at Laikipia Health Services. She introduced participants to the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) 2022–2027, which calls for a shift from a curative health approach, which is expensive and unsustainable, to a preventive and promotive model. This shift aligns with Kenya’s PHC strategy, which emphasises disease prevention and community-based health services as essential components of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Alice also presented the Kenya Primary Health Care Network (PCN) Model, which aims to enhance referral systems, improve resource use, and strengthen collaboration with the private sector. The model operates on a hub and spoke system, where Level 4 hospitals, including County and Sub-County Referral Hospitals, serve as hubs, while Level 2 and 3 facilities such as dispensaries, clinics, and health centres serve as spokes providing frontline care.

However, Laikipia’s PCN model is still experiencing challenges. The PCN Advisory Committee has not yet been formed. Referral linkages between community units and health facilities remain weak. Many hub facilities lack adequate equipment, and delays in implementing allocated funds continue to hinder progress. To address these challenges, there is a need to increase budget allocation for PHC, strengthen Public–Private Partnerships, and improve IT infrastructure to fully operationalize the Electronic Community Health Information System.

The final session, led by Sherry Muthaura, Advocacy Associate at PPI, introduced the PHC coalition and its objectives. The coalition seeks to coordinate advocacy efforts, ensure meaningful CSO participation in county health planning and budgeting, and link county coalitions to national platforms to promote accountability. Key activities will include joint advocacy campaigns, participation in national and county Health Sector Working Groups, support for the rollout of the Community Health Strategy (2021–2025), and publication of PHC bulletins.

Sherry also outlined the coalition’s governance structure, which will consist of the Advocacy and Policy Committee, the Monitoring and Learning Committee, and the Communications and Engagement Committee. A main committee will be established to appoint a chairperson from among the member organizations to provide leadership and ensure coordination across all committees.

As Laikipia moves forward with implementing PHC reforms, LWF will continue to amplify community voices and support efforts that contribute to a healthier and more sustainable county.

As the Laikipia Wildlife Forum, we were proud to stand among partners championing conservation and sustainable natural resource management. Collaboration sits at the heart of our work, and this event affirmed the importance of shared effort across all our thematic areas. The Governor reminded partners that real progress happens when we move together, a message that echoed throughout the event as organizations reaffirmed their commitment to continue working side by side.

For LWF, the event was a powerful reminder that every tree grown, every student inspired, every community supported, and every ecosystem restored is the result of collective action. None of this work happens in isolation.

To all our partners, your commitment is felt, your impact is visible, and your support remains invaluable. Together, we continue to make Laikipia stronger.

This wasn’t just an exhibition, it was a statement. A bold declaration that Laikipia is ready to lead the way in redefining how tourism and conservation work hand in hand to drive local economies and protect natural heritage.

The Expo featured a rich diversity of participants: from tour operators and hospitality providers to community enterprises, conservancies, cultural groups, and youth innovators. Under the theme “Conservation Meets Commerce,” exhibitors shared ideas, pitched products, and built new partnerships showcasing not only what Laikipia has to offer, but also what it stands for.

Gracing the event as Chief Guest was Madam Leah Njeri, Laikipia County’s Executive Committee Member for Water, Environment,  Natural Resources and Climate Change. She applauded the initiative as a powerful step in aligning environmental stewardship with economic opportunity. Her remarks were echoed by the Chairman of the Board of LTA, Mr. Gilbert Mutembei, who emphasized the importance of telling Laikipia’s story beyond safaris, through culture, innovation, and inclusive tourism experiences.

Ruth Njuguna of Lion Landscapes guides CECM Water, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Leah Njeri through their innovative conservation tools and approaches at their exhibition stand

What made the Expo particularly special was its energy. There was music and performance, exchange and engagement, knowledge-sharing and networking. Booths buzzed with activity as visitors interacted with displays, from wildlife tech tools and astrotourism demos to traditional beekeeping and handmade crafts. Community groups showcased the tangible benefits of conservation-linked enterprise, while hospitality players pitched packages that blend luxury with sustainability.

Expo participants join in the rhythm and color of Maa traditional dance, celebrating Laikipia’s rich cultural heritage and community spirit

The event also attracted significant media coverage, with KTN, KBC, Kameme TV, and other stations highlighting the Expo’s impact. Local-language segments helped carry the message deep into the communities, while digital platforms extended the event’s reach, nationally. On social media, hashtags like #LaikipiaWildlifeandTourismExpo2025 captured the excitement in real time.

The Expo’s success was not only in numbers, though the turnout was strong, with hundreds of attendees flowing through the venue all day, it was in the quality of connections made. Local artisans met potential buyers. Lodges discovered community-led products that align with their sustainability goals. Students engaged researchers on wildlife coexistence technologies.

Looking ahead, LWF and LTA plan to make the Expo an annual fixture, and one that spans multiple days. The goal is to allow even deeper engagement, more storytelling, and expanded participation. We express deep gratitude to all exhibitors, guests, and partners who contributed to the success of this inaugural edition.

As members trickled into the compound, they were welcomed by the ambience and serenity created by this natural environment. To cap it off, they did not have to struggle to know the names of the trees that contributed to this beauty because all the tree species in the compound are now well labelled and described. The learning of species’ names made them busy as they took tea while moving around the compound. Many were so excited to learn the names of trees that they interact with almost daily, yet were unaware of their names.

There was a lot of happiness and anticipation as all LWF staff worked together to ensure everything was in place. The well-erected tents hosting decorated tables and chairs exuded pomp and colour. The accurately positioned banners and registration table gave a feeling of a well-organized celebration. The Disc Jockey (DJ) made sure not to water down all this beauty and effort and crowned it all with heartwarming, themed and very entertaining music.

The meeting began as soon as the Chairman and Board members arrived. As is tradition, we started with a word of prayer followed by self-introductions.  The meeting then followed the usual AGM procedure. However, we cannot write home about this unique AGM without giving the key highlights of the day. We, including the Chairman, were happy to welcome one of our former Executive Directors, Dr. Mordecai Ogada. Mordecai, as he is popularly referred to, is credited for enabling LWF to settle in this compound, having moved from the Nanyuki Airstrip. He was also impressed by the ambience!

Former Executive Director Dr. Mordecai Ogada shares his remarks during the historic AGM, reflecting on LWF’s journey and growth over the years

Another key highlight was by the Chair of the Board on the progress the Forum has made over the past three years. He said that when he and the Executive Director took up leadership, LWF had declared redundancy, with staff at 50% salary reduction, had no reserve funds and was generally a coordinating body/secretariat. This changed in late 2022 when we decided to revert to implementation, and now, we are making an impact, he said. The third highlight was the diversity of members. We had multi-stakeholders, including the County Government, the National Government, Peer NGOs, local CBOs, including Water Resource Users Associations (WRUAs), Community Forest Associations (CFAs), youth and women groups, other conservation groups, tourism sector players, research institutions, community and private conservancies, among others.

As the meeting ended, a relaxed and happy atmosphere could be felt as members mingled and ate their delicious lunch, also served within the compound. It was indeed a first and memorable venue-change for LWF’s AGM!

Shoshin’s key pillars are: Agri Tech, Climate Tech, and Blue Tech, while the technologies they use include IoT and robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and Web3. For LWF, our interest was in Climate Tech as much as we appreciate the nexus among the three ‘Techs.’ To this end, we discussed the three components of Climate Tech, which include Carbon Credits, Human Wildlife Conflict (HWC) Mitigation, and AFR100.

As much as LWF relates to all three, our discussion revolved around our previous and ongoing work, which includes HWC Mitigation and the AFR100 & REDD+ Technology support. We both identified strong alignment in these two spheres. We agreed to explore using HWC mitigation technology to: scout and assess target areas, mobilize local communities, and support capacity building initiatives. It was further agreed that elephant sensors (used in HWC mitigation) will help identify suitable reforestation areas. Ultimately, we both agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and co-develop a concept note focusing on HWC Mitigation, AFR100, and community education around carbon credits.

In April, we participated in a two-day workshop for the Reticulated Giraffe Range Committee. The workshop, which Kenya Wildlife Service organized in partnership with Giraffe Conservation Foundation and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, aimed to consolidate the successes achieved and build on the foundation of the 2nd edition of the National Recovery and Action Plan for Giraffe 2023- 2027. The workshop brought conservation players within the range of the reticulated giraffes in the various counties, including Laikipia, Wajir, Marsabit, Mandera, Garissa, Isiolo, Samburu and Meru in the Mountain, Eastern and Northern Conservation Areas.

Officially opening the workshop was Senior Assistant Director Madam Lucy Mwita, who called for alignment of strategies towards the conservation of giraffes through research and a multi-stakeholder approach. To achieve the goal of mitigating threats and maintaining a self-sustaining giraffe population with a multi-stakeholder approach to achieve a net-positive population growth by 2027, stakeholders called for collaboration with local communities through Community-based anti-poaching programs.

The stakeholders from the conservation areas gave an overview of the current conservation activities, initiatives and challenges experienced in giraffe conservation. In the Northern Conservation Area, stakeholders noted that poaching was a significant issue and a cross-border challenge, urging the KWS and County Governments to collaborate in monitoring and patrols between Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia.

In addition, habitat degradation in the rangelands remains a key challenge towards conservation, as presented in the meeting. The KWS called for resilience in addressing the effects of climate change, including drought and flooding. Invasive species such as Opuntia stricta and Prosopis juliflora were key challenges highlighted in the North and Eastern part of the Reticulated Giraffe range. Key interventions from the LWF, Loisaba Conservancy, and Northern Rangelands Trust included proposed management strategies and efforts to minimize the colonization of giraffe habitats.

Dr. Aminga, KWS veterinary, highlighted the current wildlife diseases affecting reticulated giraffe, including Mange, which mostly occurs during the dry season. The disease causes sores on the giraffes’ mouths and skin. Veterinarians are currently carrying out research to determine whether the disease is endemic to Wajir County. He reinstated the role of veterinarians in responding to wildlife injuries and rescue, calling for adequate support from the stakeholders.

In his presentation, Dr. Muneza from Giraffe Conservation Foundation emphasized Kenya’s unique giraffe taxonomy and heritage, highlighting the milestones made towards their conservation that have led to a 20% increase from 2025. However, stakeholders were urged to harmonize the data on giraffe population and mortality, preferably through a giraffe mortality database, to enhance data recording and track the population of giraffes. Capacity building the rangers and local community scouts through tools and technology, such as Earth Ranger, was a key step towards monitoring and evaluation.

Key outcomes for the workshop were the development of key activities and highlighting challenges that need intervention within each strategic objective outlined in the National Recovery and Action Plan for 2023-2027. Additionally, the stakeholders developed a threat matrix analysis proposing priority activities. Stakeholders agreed to conduct more outreach through conservation education programs and to observe World Giraffe Day, commemorated annually on 21st June.

LWF is proud to have participated and given recommendations to the committee towards enhancing a viable population of giraffes through habitat restoration and conservation education awareness campaigns at schools and communities.

During the August holiday, LWF participated in the annual conservation educators’ workshop organized by our partners, the Northern Kenya Conservation Clubs (NKCC). The workshop brought together representatives from Laikipia North Sub-County, Ministry of Education, Conservation Educators from Loisaba Conservancy and The Peregrine Fund and teachers from 21 schools (both primary and secondary) from Laikipia East and North Constituencies. The three-day training aimed at equipping teachers with skills and practical models of integrating conservation education into the curriculum.

Despite the County being an arid and semi-arid region, schools, with the guidance of environmental club teachers, had made milestones in conserving their environment. In their respective schools, teachers briefly explained their successful models and challenges experienced in their schools. However, amidst the challenges, the teachers had built a lasting connection between the students and the environment. Through the establishment of kitchen gardens to beekeeping, the teachers, with the help of conservation educators and well-wishers, had moulded environmentally resilient students. It was time to refresh and assess the progress of their initiatives at schools and evaluate the importance of conservation education at schools.

Ayub from Northern Kenya Conservation Clubs engages a teacher in the “Which Animal Am I?” game

Through the interactions, teachers and conservation educators were informed about the gaps from different perspectives. From the shared experiences, teachers could borrow ideas from each other to improve their environmental clubs. Key outcomes from the training included the integration of experiential learning as an ideal practical model for conservation education. The teachers highlighted that experiential learning keeps the students motivated and enhances active participation, unlike confined classroom lecturing. The founder of NKCC, Professor Dan Rubenstein, applauded the teachers’ initiatives, emphasizing the connection between the environment and people and wildlife through conservation games such as The Web of Life.

Teachers participate in a group discussion to identify key topics using the NKCC curriculum

To put experiential learning into practice, teachers visited Ol Pejeta Conservancy. During the trip, various aspects were used to create a deeper understanding such as safari bingo, bird watching and wildlife species identification. From this perspective, teachers identified the importance of wildlife conservation and maintaining a healthy ecosystem. To most of the teachers, these was a great experience and created a sense of ownership towards their continued efforts in spreading the conservation message.

In addition, the teachers were introduced to basic tools that are readily available to support and keep the environmental clubs vibrant at school. James from the Laikipia Wildlife Forum explained about Merlin App, a free bird identification app built for experiential learning such as a bird watching session with students. Faith Achieng’ from The Peregrine Fund highlighted the role of birds of prey in the ecosystem, emphasizing the role of citizen science in Conservation Education.

Further, Loisaba Conservancy presented how art and videography can create a deeper understanding of environmental conservation in schools while building courage in the students through showcasing their talents. Mr. Noordin from the Ministry of Education, Laikipia North Sub-County, commended the role of the Conservation Education outreach program through games and competitions, urging stakeholders to collaborate.

Teachers, conservation educators, and partners pose for a photo after a successful training session

We are proud to have had an additional five schools: Dol Dol Boys Secondary School, St. Francis Girls Secondary School, Il Polei Secondary School, Kurum Secondary School, and Daraja Academy, onboarded for the training through our partnership with Northern Kenya Conservation Clubs.

We are committed to ensuring that Conservation Education continues to inspire students to not only conserve the environment but also influence and prepare them for their future careers. To our enabling partners and stakeholders, thank you for your steadfast support.