Miano: We're planning to modernise training for KWS recruits

Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano has announced plans to modernise the training being offered to the Kenya Wildlife Service recruits.

Miano noted that through this, the service will be responsive to the emerging challenges in wildlife management including poaching and threats posed by climate change.

The ministry, she added, will also support capacity development as well as enhance institutional governance in the service.

Miano made the remarks during a tour of the KWS law enforcement academy in Manyani.

"This academy is a foundation and abiding emblem of our nation’s commitment to both wildlife conservation and excellence in our tourism undertakings. Its impact extends far beyond our borders,” she said.

She said it serves as a hub for local, regional and international collaborations leading to strong partnerships that have enhanced our global conservation index.

The academy is a premier centre of excellence mandated to train front-line staff in wildlife conservation and management.

Beyond our borders, she said, the academy has trained wildlife experts from Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan.

At the same time, Miano vowed to ensure that the presidential directive on the recruitment of rangers every 10 years is fully observed.

She said the successful implementation of this pronouncement was successfully realised during the recruitment in April this year something she termed as a major milestone.

“It heralds the commencement of a journey of transformative agenda in wildlife conservation and management in the country,” she said.

Miano also used the opportunity to urge Kenyans to champion wildlife conservation as it is the backbone of Kenya's tourism.

"A whooping 90 per cent of safari tourism is driven by our wildlife while about 75 per cent of tourism earnings depend on wildlife. Indeed, a significant 10 per cent of Kenya’s GDP is anchored on our wildlife economy. Therefore, devoid of wildlife, Kenya’s economy would be an entirely different story," she said.

Kenya has been a major tourist destination in East Africa traditionally attracting visitors from across the world to its wildlife parks and Indian Ocean beaches.