10 Environmental Organizations in Kenya

Kenya is one of the African countries that is recognized across the globe for its rich biodiversity and large landscapes.

They have a lot of wildlife reserves and that’s why we are bringing information on environmental organizations in Kenya.

Kenya’s economy and its citizen’s source of income depend on natural resources and nature-based tourism in the country.

Climate change, urban spread, wildlife trafficking, and overpopulation threaten the marginal land in Kenya and its environment.

Due to all these issues, some environmental organizations were established to help manage the wildlife and also boost the country’s economy though some of these environmental organizations in Kenya are non-profitable, non-governmental organizations.

Table of Contents

Environmental Organizations in Kenya

In this article, we are looking at the environmental organization in Kenya, who they are, what are they all about, their mission, projects, awards, and how these organizations have impacted the communities.

Below are the names of these organizations

Kenya Wildlife Service
National Environment Management Authority of Kenya
Green Belt Movement
Ishaqbini Hirola Conservancy
African Conservation Centre
East African Wildlife Societ
William Holden Wildlife Foundation
Solar Cookers International
WildlifeDirect

1. Kenya Wildlife Service

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is one of the environmental organizations in Kenya that is incorporated under the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife is a State Corporation that conserves and manages wildlife in Kenya for its citizens and the world at large.

It was instituted by an Act of Parliament CAP 376 of 1989; whose mission is conservation and Management of wildlife now nullified and restored by the Wildlife conservation management act, 2013.

It also impost related laws and regulations.

Due to the diversity of problems wildlife and biodiversity conservation in Kenya are going through which are many and differ which are climate change, habitat degradation and loss, forest depletion, and so on.

Kenya Wildlife Service (Source: iconAPE)

They initiated a long-lasting approach and method to solve this problem by involving different groups of interest, stakeholders, and partners.

The Government of Kenya dedicated itself to preserving wildlife for future generations with all the available resources, by making providing shelters for animals, forests, and water catchment areas.

Kenya Wildlife Service is one of the environmental organizations in Kenya that conserves and manages national parks, wildlife conservation areas, and shelters under its administration.

2. National Environment Management Authority of Kenya

The National Environment Management Authority of Kenya which is also known as NEMA is an environmental organization in Kenya that is located in Kenya, Nairobi precisely. It was founded in 2002

Is a government agency in Kenya that is responsible for the management of the environment, and environmental policy by implementing its policies in every sector that is in the country.

They also carry out their projects such as FP175: Enhancing community resilience and water security in the Upper Athi River Catchment Area, Kenya, this project was approved in 2021.

The main objective of this project is to increase water security due to the fact that the Athi River Catchment is the least water-secure region in the country.

It also supports communities’ resilience to climate change in the Upper Athi River Catchment area.

This organization focuses mostly on climate change adaptation and mitigation by collaborating with local and international organizations in executing projects with huge budgets.

3. Green Belt Movement

The Green Belt Movement (GBM) is a Kenyan environmental organization, that is a non-governmental organization that is also located in Nairobi, Kenya, that uses an integrated strategy for development by committing itself to environmental conservation, community development, and capacity building.

Professor Wangari Maathai is the founder of the organization and the organization was established in 1977, under the guardians of the National Council of Women of Kenya.

Over 52 million trees have been planted, and more than 30,000 women have undergone training in forestry, food processing, bee-keeping, and other trades that assist them to earn income while protecting their lands and resources all this has been achieved Since Professor Wangari Maathai started the movement in 1977.

Green Belt Movement
(Source: Gender Security Project)

This movement has made the Communities in Kenya (both their men and women) to be very motivated to both put a stop to further environmental harm and restore that which has been destroyed.

GBM works at the international, national to grassroots levels to enhance environmental conservation. Also, bring solutions to climate resilience and empower communities, mostly women and girls; to promote democratic space and suitable livelihoods.

They were able to achieve all their mission in this community by using trees as their access.

4. Ishaqbini Hirola Conservancy

The Ishaqbini Hirola Conservancy is one of the environmental organizations in Kenya that is community-based in Garissa County, Kenya.

Along the eastern bank of the Tana River and borders the former Tana River Primate Reserve which is not that large. Is an indigenous non-governmental organization that is committed to enhancing and promoting the conservation of hirola antelope in the ea conservation area situated eastern part of Kenya.

This organization was initiated as the result of the rejection of the hirola population and putting very limited conservation efforts which these hirola be endangered

The fact they are not big in size is the safeguarded place for endemic and critically endangered Hirola antelope. Together with the Arawale National Reserve, the conservancy plays a major role in the Hirola’s habitat.

5. African Conservation Centre

The African Conservation Centre (ACC) is among the environmental organizations in Kenya and is a non – profitable organization that is located in Kenya. The group was established in 1995. In 2007, they majorly focused on capacity building through good knowledge, a local institution, and good administration to preserve wildlife.

the Shompole Group Ranch. Among its projects, it won the Equator Initiative Award in 2006 for community-driven biodiversity-based business from the United Nations Development Programme.

The organization’s major goal is to safeguard East African biodiversity by the application of conservation solutions through scientists and indigenous knowledge

The emphasis on the importance of these solutions takes for the needs of ancient people as well as the several environments which the ACC intends to preserve.

6. East African Wildlife Society

East African Wildlife Society also known as EAWLS is one of Kenya’s environmental organizations and a conservation organization that delights itself as the main voice of conservation in the East African region through evidence-based advocacy and partnering with different top stakeholders to cause change.

The incorporation of Kenya and Tanzania Wildlife Societies EAWLS was established in 1956 and wildlife lovers from Uganda. In 1956 EAWLS’ made the step first as an organization.

It has made a lot of achievements in contributions toward several legislations and policies.

The mission of this organization is to promote the conservation and proper use of the environment, such as wildlife, by advocating for sensible policies and suitable resource management regimes, and also promoting best practices and good leadership.

7. William Holden Wildlife Foundation

The William Holden Wildlife Foundation (WHWF) is one of Kenya’s environmental organizations, it was established by an actress whose name is Stefanie Powers, it was established in honor of her love for William Holden.

William Holden is a famous movie star whose acting career lasted for over 40 years in the early days of Hollywood. he was among the people that did groundbreaking conservation work privately in Kenya.

This organization is a charitable organization that is located in the United State, its main project is the William Holden Wildlife Education Center which is in Kenya near Nanyuki.

William Holden Wildlife Foundation ( Source:susinaf)

The Education Center is just for wildlife conservation and environmental studies for local people, with visitors from different parts of the world. Its mission is to habitat conservation, protect the environment and focus on teaching people about wildlife

Their education center has served over 11,000 students yearly since it opened in 1983. W they also offer education programs, such as lectures, field trips, camping, and practical displays of reliable farming, bio-energy, composting, and cooking.

The foundation has courses that are designed for various local populations, both urban and rural. their rural outreach program covers 7 locations

8. Solar Cookers International

Solar Cookers International (SCI) is also one of the environmental organizations in Kenya is a non-governmental and charitable organization that works to enhance human and environmental health by aiding the expansion of elemental carbon and providing free solar cooking in the world, especially in areas that are seriously in need.

SCI is committed to“improving human and environmental health by supporting the expansion of effective carbon-free solar cooking in world regions of greatest need.”

Solar Cookers International which is also known as SCI has led via advocacy, research, and strengthening the capacity of the global solar cooking movement. SCI is in collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which was established in 1987.

Solar Cookers International has won several awards such as the Ashden Award in 2002, the award was given to the for their work with solar cookers in Kenya. They also received an award for being the winner of the World Renewable Energy Award In August 2006. SCI was awarded in August for emerging as the winner of the Keeling Curve Prize for sustainable planet solutions.

They have also been honored by the California State Legislature and the Center for African Peace and Conflict Resolution.

9. WildlifeDirect

WildlifeDirect is also one of Kenya’s environmental organizations it is a Kenya and US registered non-profitable organization that was established by African conservationist Richard Leakey. Its headquarter is in Nairobi, Kenya.

WildlifeDirect was initiated in 2006 to give adequate aid to conservationists in Africa directly that are functioning by using blogs, it makes over the world irrespective of where they are to have an interactive role in the existence of some of these precious species in the world.

They render free administration for the funds that are transferred through their website so that the financial support can go to where it was intended in its entirety. Their core costs are provided for separately through grants, primarily from the European Union.

The current CEO is Paula Kahumbu, recipient of the 2021 Rolex Award from the National Geographic Society.

10. Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, popularly known as Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, is one of the common environmental organizations in Kenya. Daphne Sheldrick established it in honor of her late husband David Sheldrick Wildlife in 2001.

Sheldrick Wildlife Trust runs an orphan elephant rescue and wildlife rehabilitation program in Kenya that is managed by Angela Sheldrick. she is the Daughter of David and Daphne Sheldrick.

According to its website, its mission is “ To embrace all measures that complement the conservation, preservation, and protection of wildlife. which include anti-poaching, protecting the natural environment, improving community awareness, addressing animal welfare challenges, making adequate provisions for veterinary assistance for animals in need, rescuing and hand rearing elephant and rhino orphans, with other species that can eventually enjoy the quality of life when grown.”

Conclusion

In this article, we have successfully looked at how the environmental organizations in Kenya operate, their missions, projects, awards, and their impact on the community.

These organizations have impacted the communities and their environment greatly through the various programs they run especially their free programs to empower the less privileged in their communities.

Some of these organizations are non-profitable and non-government that are dedicated to providing, protecting, rescuing, and rehabilitating animals like wildlife. notwithstanding some of these environmental organizations in Kenya listed here are also committed to providing and protecting, humans, animals, and the entire environment from being destroyed.