In September, we had the privilege of coordinating a high-impact advocacy visit to Washington, D.C. for six senior leaders from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), including Director General Dr. Erustus Kanga, Chairman Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Walter Koipaton, Director of Partnership and Enterprise Michael Nicholson, Benta Musima (Counsel) and Gladys (Branding and Marketing). Joined by our CEO, David Houghton, the delegation presented the strategic priorities of KWS to key U.S. decision-makers, gaining support and fostering valuable connections for Kenya’s ambitious conservation goals.

The delegation’s visit began with an introduction to U.S. governance and policy structures through a meeting with former Senators Byron Dorgan and Doug Jones, hosted by our partners ArentFox Schiff. From there, they met with a variety of influential stakeholders including Senator Chris Coons of Delaware, who is advancing new legislation supporting conservation in Africa, and Bintou Njie, Africa Program Officer in Vice President Kamala Harris's office. These discussions highlighted KWS’s strategic plan, focusing on critical initiatives such as black rhino conservation, ranger training, wildlife corridors to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, and equipping veterinary teams to enhance fieldwork efficiency.

Throughout the visit, the delegation engaged in high-level discussions with Members of Congress, potential funders, and U.S. agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (with Deputy Director Siva Sundaresan), USAID, and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). They also consulted with prominent conservation organizations, including Re:wild and the Animal Welfare Institute. A guided tour of the U.S. Capitol led by Senator Dorgan and a networking lunch in the Senate Dining Room, including a conversation with Senator Elizabeth Warren, added to the trip’s depth and reach.

A central purpose of the visit was to educate U.S. policymakers on the transformative impact of KWS’s new strategic direction under Director General Kanga. Known as a leader in Kenya’s conservation renaissance, Kanga has driven major initiatives to reduce corruption, invest in frontline resources like land cruisers for field teams, and cultivate a results-oriented culture within KWS. Specific priorities discussed included the Rhino Range Expansion Kenya (RREK) initiative in Tsavo, increasing capacity in Meru National Park, and the ongoing efforts to integrate community conservancies into KWS’s framework - amongst other topics. With more recruits than ever currently training at the Manyani Training Centre, also known as the KWS Law Enforcement Academy, KWS is poised to increase its operational strength in ways unprecedented in recent years.

Following their D.C. meetings, the delegation visited Yellowstone National Park, a U.S. conservation stronghold, to gain insights into the challenges and management strategies of large protected areas. 

The visit was arranged and covered by WildLandscapes, and is likely to be the first in a series of visits aimed at building support for KWS’s conservation mission and innovative projects. This advocacy mission successfully raised awareness among U.S. decision-makers about KWS’s evolving role in Kenyan conservation and set the stage for ongoing collaboration on projects like the KRRE, furthering KWS’s impact on wildlife protection and community engagement.