Since 2013

A decade of locally-led conservation

We take pride in reflecting on our progress — building conservancy capacity, influencing policy reforms, increasing conservancy financing, and elevating the profile of conservation in non-protected areas.

Since 2013

Our results at a glance

2 → 224

Conservancies grown since 2013

10.8M

Hectares conserved — 18% of Kenya

65%

Of wildlife outside parks safeguarded

1.3M

Households benefiting from conservancies

National laws & policies influenced

50+

Strategic & long-term partners

Our achievements

What we’ve achieved

Over the past 13 years, we have entrenched conservancies within Kenya’s wildlife and land policies and built a thriving national network.

Women in beaded collars raising hands during a conservancy training session

Advocacy & policy influence

Over 350 policy meetings and participation in 17 government task forces have mainstreamed conservancies in national laws, policies and plans.

Growing landscape associations

KWCA has built technical skills and strengthened 12 landscape associations nationwide, sub-granting funds to operationalise their offices.

Increasing the membership network

Membership grew from 95 in 2016 to 224 in 2025, with community conservancies contributing 92% of total land under conservation.

Championing women & youth

From a cross-cutting activity to a fully-fledged gender programme, with national and landscape women’s and youth forums established.

Strengthening our institution

The team grew from 2 to 25 with efficient management systems, a strong culture, and durable partnerships across government and donors.

A voice of conservation influence

A trusted knowledge hub: the State of Conservancies Report and National Map have informed NEMA, KWS, CBD and IUCN reports.

In their words

What our partners are saying

“From its inception in 2013, KWCA has emerged as a monumental force in Kenya’s conservation, a grassroots institution tirelessly advocating for community-led wildlife stewardship and fostering a culture of trust and collaboration with stakeholders.”

Munira Bashir

Founding Member, KWCA & Former Kenya Country Director, The Nature Conservancy

“KWCA has grown over the past decade into one of Africa’s foremost networks supporting community-led conservation. With 195 member conservancies (2024) spanning a tremendous diversity of communities and landowners from all across the country, with a wide range of locally adapted governance and management systems for different types of conservancies, KWCA plays a central role in this growing national movement.”

Fred Nelson

CEO, Maliasili, in KWCA’s 10-Year Impact Report (2024)

“KWCA is a worthy partner. Its leadership is driven by incredible men and women from the grassroots, demonstrating authenticity of its bottom-up approach leadership.”

Silvia Museiya

Principal Secretary, State Department of Wildlife

“The work that KWCA and conservancies are doing complements the work of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and contributes to the attainment of KWS conservation strategies. I am proud of the achievements realised thus far.”

Dr Erustus Kanga

Director General, Kenya Wildlife Service

“KWCA is a force to be reckoned with. They have built a reputable brand that should be replicated as a best practice across Africa.”

Tom Lalampaa

Founding Chairperson, KWCA