Kitui County Governor H.E. Dr. Julius Makau Malombe today hosted the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Director General, Prof. Erustus Kanga, EBS, and his delegation at the Governor’s Office in Kitui town. The high-level meeting centered on fast-tracking the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in March 2024 between the County Government of Kitui and KWS.

The MoU aims to enhance the conservation, protection, and management of game reserves and conservancies within Kitui County, with particular focus on the South Kitui Game Reserve. The partnership seeks to transform conservation efforts into tangible socio-economic benefits, including job creation, improved livelihoods, and increased revenue for the county.

Prof. Kanga noted that Kenya has 33 national reserves spread across 33 counties, but over 90% remain dormant. He emphasized that KWS has embarked on a nationwide initiative to work closely with county governments to unlock the potential of these reserves.

“The operationalization of dormant national reserves is key to advancing the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda. Once active, these reserves will create jobs for the youth, improve community livelihoods, and generate revenue for both county and national governments,” Prof. Kanga said.

The discussions with Governor Malombe specifically explored ways to operationalize the South Kitui Game Reserve. KWS pledged support in several areas, including the introduction of new wildlife species such as black rhinos, development of tourism infrastructure, and establishment of hotels and related industries. These initiatives are projected to create over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs for Kitui residents while attracting both local and international tourists, boosting foreign exchange earnings.

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Governor Malombe lauded KWS and Prof. Kanga for their commitment, pledging his administration’s full support in realizing the shared vision.

“We are ready to work hand in hand with KWS to actualize our agreements, including capacity building for game rangers and other critical measures to operationalize the South Kitui Game Reserve. This partnership will be a game-changer for Kitui,” Governor Malombe affirmed.

Kitui County Commissioner Kipchumba Rutto, who also chairs the County Security Committee, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing peace and security in the region to support the plan’s success. “We shall inject peace and tranquility into the conservancies to protect lives, property, and wildlife. We welcome the roadmap by the KWS Director General to ensure Kitui’s wildlife areas remain protected, sustainable, and a model of human-wildlife coexistence,” he said.

The South Kitui Game Reserve, was gazetted in 1979,  and is poised to become a flagship attraction in boosting Kitui’s tourism and conservation sector once fully operationalized.

Also present at the meeting were Kitui Deputy Governor H.E. Augustine Kanani, several County Executive Committee Members, Chief Officers, Members of the County Security Committee, KWS officers, and other senior county officials.

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