46 Community Scouts Graduate in Kenya's Tsavo Landscape, Strengthening Frontline Conservation

LAIKIPIA, Kenya — 46 community scouts drawn from conservancies across Kenya's Tsavo landscape have graduated from a 21-day training program, marking a significant milestone in community-led wildlife protection in one of the country's most critical conservation corridors.

Led by the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) in collaboration with Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the program brought together scouts and 16 representatives from 13 conservancies across Taita Taveta County, including members of the Taita Taveta Wildlife Conservancies Association (TTWCA).

The initiative was supported by the Embassy of Sweden in Kenya and forms part of a broader effort to build conservation resilience across southern Kenya's landscapes.

Aligned with the Kenya Wildlife Service Law Enforcement Academy curriculum, the training covered bushcraft, anti-poaching techniques, wildlife law enforcement, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, and crime scene management. Scouts also received hands-on instruction in modern conservation technologies—including GPS, SMART Mobile, EarthRanger, Survey123, and drone surveillance—equipping them with the situational awareness and operational tools required to respond effectively on the ground.

Nancy Githaiga, AWF Kenya Country Director, officiating the graduation ceremony at Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

Nancy Githaiga, Country Director of AWF Kenya, underscored the broader meaning of the occasion: “This graduation is more than a ceremony. It represents the readiness of these community scouts to protect wildlife, secure ecosystems, and support peaceful coexistence between people and wildlife. At AWF, our vision is a future where both thrive together—and achieving that requires sustained investment in training, resources, and collaboration with conservancies and communities across Kenya.”

Prof. Geoffrey Wahungu, Chief Programs Officer at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, highlighted the value of cross-institutional knowledge transfer: “This collaboration is exactly the kind of partnership that elevates conservation capacity at scale. When institutions share what works—proven methods, technology, field experience—we build a stronger, more effective frontline for wildlife protection across Kenya's landscapes.”

Polycarp Okumu, Senior Warden at the Kenya Wildlife Service, affirmed the program’s alignment with national standards: “Community scouts are at the heart of Kenya’s conservation framework. They require discipline, dedication, and collaboration. We are grateful to the partners for training them to national standards—strengthening both wildlife protection and the integrity of the country’s conservation landscapes.”

This graduation builds on a sustained partnership between AWF and TTWCA that has now trained more than 150 community scouts, investing in local institutions, community stewardship, and operational capacity within conservancies. The Tsavo landscape serves as a critical conservation corridor linking Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks with neighboring ecosystems—making ranger capacity in this zone a strategic, not merely logistical, priority.

AWF, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, and their partners reaffirm their commitment to working with communities, conservancies, government agencies, and development partners to ensure that wildlife, landscapes, and people thrive together across Kenya's southern landscapes.

About the African Wildlife Foundation
The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is the primary advocate for the protection of wildlife and wild lands as an essential part of a modern and prosperous Africa. Founded in 1961, AWF works to ensure that the continent's natural heritage is protected and benefits all Africans. For more information, visit www.awf.org

About Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a leading wildlife conservancy in Kenya, recognized for its integrated approach to conservation, balancing wildlife protection, community development, and sustainable land use. The largest black rhino sanctuary in East and Central Africa, Ol Pejeta is home to the last two northern white rhinos and plays a critical role in protecting endangered species, managing habitat, and empowering surrounding communities. Through partnerships such as this, Ol Pejeta continues to strengthen conservation capacity across the country.