Kenya will be holding this year's World World Wildlife Day (WWD) 2025 celebration at Lake Bogolia in Baringo County on March 3rd.
Under the theme of “Wildlife Conservation Finance: A Shared Future for Wildlife and Sustainable Livelihoods,” the national celebration highlights Kenya's innovative approach to secure long-term funding to improve local biota and protect biodiversity to support community development.
Prior to the celebration, the Cabinet Secretary of Tourism and Wildlife Rebecca Miano pointed out the very important aspects of Kenya's wildlife conservation.
“As we know, Kenya's wildlife is more than just a treasure. It's our heritage, our pride and our future,” Miano said. “On this World Wildlife Day, we gather in Baringo County to celebrate the beauty of our natural world and the lives it maintains.”
She emphasized that the ministry has partnered with the community and other stakeholders to ensure a coordinated effort to conserve wildlife as the country strives for sustainable development. “From innovative fundraising models such as ecosystem services payments to community-driven initiatives, we are building a future where both people and nature can flourish.”
“But we can't do it alone. It's time for governments, the private sector, the community, the individuals – to take action, because when we invest in wildlife, we invest in the planet, the people, and our future.”
Wildlife Principal Silvia Musseiya highlighted Kenya's commitment to balancing conservation and community needs through a sustainable funding model. She highlighted the important role of Baringo County in this effort, particularly its rich biodiversity at Kamnarok National Lake Reserve.
“The role of Baringo County as a host will include the large elephant population and home to many other wildlife species given its rich biodiversity, given its vast biodiversity. We aim to harness the potential of national reserves to raise the county's income and local communities and recognize their important role in wildlife conservation.”
Balingo County, home to Lake Bogolia, the UNESCO-designated Ramsar site, is Kenya's most valuable biodiversity. The lake's alkaline water attracts thousands of flamingos and provides sanctuaries of iconic species such as Greater Kudu, Fish Eagles and the endangered Rothschild giraffe.
Beyond Lake Bogolia, Balingo boasts a diverse ecosystem, including Lake Baringo, Lake Kamnarok National Reserve and Community Reserve. These support elephants, patas monkeys, and rare giant pangolins, cementing the status of Balingo as a global biodiversity hotspot.
“We are honored to host World Wildlife Day and showcase what it must be a collaborative effort between the government, private sector, communities and other stakeholders to maintain natural heritage and generate sustainable income,” Baringo County Governor Benjamin Cheboy said.
Similarly, Professor Elastas Kanga, Director of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), has called on stakeholders to embrace innovative fundraising models to support wildlife conservation. He added that KWS will remain vigilant and respond to evolving funding mechanisms that can increase biodiversity resources to withstand for future generations.
Kenya's wildlife is a domestic treasure and contributes greatly to the economy by supporting tourism and millions of livelihoods. However, challenges such as habitat loss, climate change and conflicts in human life threaten this natural heritage. Addressing these challenges requires innovative financing mechanisms that ensure long-term investments in conservation while benefiting the community.
World Wildlife Day, which is observed annually on March 3rd, shines a spotlight on the planet's wild flora and fauna and its preservation needs. Kenya's National Celebration reaffirms the country's status as a global leader in wildlife conservation and reaffirms its commitment to a future where people and wildlife thrive together.
In line with the 50th anniversary of CITES, the event will strengthen Kenya's role in regulating wildlife trade and protecting endangered species species as treaty signatories.
Baringo's celebration brings together government officials from the Wildlife and Tourism sector, conservation partners, community representatives and stakeholders.
