The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) recently held a passing-out parade for 1 274 ranger recruits at the KWS Law Enforcement Academy in Manyani. This is the largest recruitment cohort in a decade including the highest number of female recruits in the 35-year history of KWS.

Erustus Kanga, KWS Director General, noted: “Among them are our youngest recruits, just 18 years old, who, with God’s blessing, will serve wildlife conservation for the next 42 years, highlighting how KWS is positioned on a sustainability platform.”

Speaking at the passing-out parade, William Ruto, President of Kenya, lauded KWS for its significant achievements in conservation, service digitisation and strides towards financial sustainability. Ruto highlighted these milestones as a testament to the organisation’s growing impact.

Ruto commended KWS’s achievements over the past two years, including a fleet of 98 vehicles for ranger force modernisation, which he attributed to the digitisation of services and revenue growth.

“This remarkable growth underscores the power of technology in enhancing public service delivery. I encourage the KWS Board and management to sustain this momentum and achieve full financial self-sufficiency within the next two years.”

Referring to KWS rangers as Kenya’s “green warriors”, Ruto praised their vital role in protecting the country’s wildlife and supporting key economic sectors such as tourism, agriculture and energy.

“Our wildlife is nature's savings account – an irreplaceable fountain of life and vitality. Every act of conservation is a deposit into this account, yielding invaluable returns for our environment and economy,” said Ruto.

He also commended Kenya’s conservation achievements, highlighting zero rhino poaching cases in 2020 and the country’s thriving wildlife populations.

“Today, Kenya proudly hosts Africa’s third-largest rhino population of 2 004 and the fourth-largest elephant population of 37 000,” Ruto noted, attributing these successes to robust anti-poaching efforts and collaborative conservation initiatives.

Rebecca Miano, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, echoed these sentiments. “This record-breaking cohort, with its strong female representation, exemplifies our commitment to diversity and inclusion in conservation. Our aim is to bring as many young women to the wildlife conservation space as possible given that, by nature, women are born and wired to nurture and groom.”

She also emphasised strengthening ties with the Manyani community, highlighting the academy’s role as a national treasure and vital local resource.

Miano envisions transforming the KWS Law Enforcement Academy into a global centre for conservation training.

“By incorporating modern subjects like climate change, photography and storytelling, we aim to position this institution as Africa’s premier wildlife conservation hub,” she said.

Ruto urged the new recruits to serve with dedication, courage and patriotism.

“You are the stewards of Kenya’s natural wealth and the custodians of our national heritage. Your service will shape our nation’s future and inspire the world.”