Recently, the Wildlife and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Peninah Malonza hosted a fundraiser dinner for the initiative that raised about Sh12 million. The Magical Kenya Tembo naming festival, which will be held sometime next month at Amboseli national park, is a joint ambitious initiative between the government and private sector to minimise human-wildlife conflict through a number of interventions.

During the Magical Kenya Naming festival debut, Sh16 million raised so far, 475 households are benefiting directly from projects already initiated key among them being water projects initiated to reduce the scramble for water resources between human beings and Wildlife. Additionally, four boreholes have been dug near communities in the Amboseli ecosystem including; the Impala borehole, Risa borehole, Olgulului borehole and Kimana borehole.

According to CS Malonza, the ever-growing demand for sustainable solutions has necessitated concerted efforts by all stakeholders to conserve the country’s natural resources.

In a statement, she said:

“As we transition the country towards sustainable tourism, we are looking at ways to make sure that our natural resources are well protected for the future.

“As you can see, the funds raised are going into projects that are improving the lives of communities and wildlife as well,” she said.

The Tembo Naming Festival champions elephant conservation through various activities such as naming of elephants, collaring and tracking, community livelihood projects and conservation education programs.

Malonza applauded more than 20 proud parents who showed support by adopting elephants.

The CS also noted with concern the effects of climate change, pointing out the current drought situation that has also affected wildlife in Kenya. She stressed the need to consider long-term mitigation solutions.

“In recent years, we have seen the adverse effects of climate change and the great risk it is posing to wildlife resources due to extreme weather conditions such as prolonged droughts and lack of rains which have had devastating effects on our ecosystem resulting in reduced biodiversity and habitat loss among other things.

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“It is therefore prudent that we must ensure that our wildlife resources are protected through appropriate legislation and policy frameworks so that they can be managed effectively from an ecological standpoint,” Malonza said.