About Kenya Wildlife Service

Aerial View of KWS Headquarters

The Kenya WildlifeService (KWS) conserves and manages Kenya’s wildlife for the Kenyan people and the world. It is a state corporation established by an Act of Parliament Cap 376 with the mandate to conserve and manage wildlife in Kenya, and to enforce related laws and regulations. The Barcode of Wildlife Project Kenya is a project under Kenya Wildlife Service and National Museums of Kenya.

KWS core Mission is “To sustainably conserve, manage, and enhance Kenya's wildlife, its habitats, and provide a wide range of public uses in collaboration with stakeholders for posterity” and a Vision "To save the last great species and places on earth for humanity”. 

The Organizational mandate is set as the sole Stewardship of all National Parks and Reserves, including security for visitors and wildlife within and outside protected areas. It oversees wildlife conservation and management outside protected areas, including those under local authorities, community and private sanctuaries. Other specifics include Conservation education and training, Wildlife research, and input into national wildlife-related law and policy, and adapting and carrying out international conventions and protocols.

KWS is key in tourism development and the governments Vision 2030. KWS is a key enabler and one of the key implementing agencies for Vision 2030 flagship projects. Tourism is the second largest sector of Kenya’s economy hence providing multiplier effects in agriculture, horticulture, transport and communications. Wildlife managed by KWS forms the backbone of Kenya’s tourism industry, since most visitors come above all to view wildlife. The tourism industry accounts for 21 per cent of total foreign exchange earnings and 12 per cent of GDP.  KWS accounts for 90 per cent of safari tourism and about 75 per cent of total tourist earnings. 

The Kenya Wildlife Service continues to strengthen the approach of science- driven wildlife conservation and management. These approaches include: monitoring of wildlife health through continuous disease surveillance and control; Genetic resources, Environmental assessments, Restoration of ecosystems,  Wildlife translocation, Bio-prospecting, Coordination of biodiversity related multi-lateral environmental agreements (MEAS), formation of the African Elephant Coalition and CITES convention, and among others Review of wildlife-related policy and legislation on land, tourism, fisheries, forest conservation, water and environmental management.

On Law Enforcement and Regulation to combat Wildlife Crime, KWS has put in place proactive, preventive and reactive measures to enhance the safety of wildlife; ground and aerial patrols targeting poachers and to provide security for wildlife, wildlife habitats and tourists. Building synergies with stakeholders to enhance the conservation and protection of the country’s natural resources has been a priority. These stakeholders include police, customs Kenya Airports Authority, Judiciary, Kenya Forest Service Officers, and Cross-border wildlife security collaborative initiatives.