Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano has reaffirmed government support for the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the Kenya Rhino Range Expansion Initiative, describing it as a critical step toward safeguarding the country’s black rhino population.
Speaking on Wednesday, Miano said the collaboration represents more than wildlife protection, linking conservation directly to economic and social development.
“Today, we affirmed our unwavering support for the partnership between the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Kenya Rhino Range Expansion Initiative,” she said.
“This is a critical moment in our journey to secure the future of our black rhinos, a species that is a source of national pride.”
Miano explained that the program will contribute to wider national goals by creating opportunities for communities and strengthening Kenya’s global standing in conservation.
“This collaboration will drive economic growth, create jobs, and empower local communities,” she said, adding that the initiative also advances Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
Progress under the partnership is already visible, with sanctuaries being established and rhinos reintroduced to habitats they have not occupied for more than 50 years.
“We are committed to an ambitious goal of adding more than 600 black rhinos to our population by 2030,” said Miano.
She stressed that the initiative is about securing long-term benefits for both conservation and society.
“We are not just protecting wildlife; we are building a more prosperous and sustainable future for all Kenyans,” she said.
“This is a win for our wildlife, our economy, and our people.”
Kenya’s black rhino population is considered a critical indicator of conservation success, with government and private conservancies working together to restore habitats and boost numbers.
