History & Achievements
East African Wild Life Society has a rich history in environmental conservation dating back to 1956.
We are one of the oldest membership-based, non-governmental wildlife conservation organization in East Africa with a rich history dating back to 1956 when we made our first step as an organization. In 1961, the Kenya and Tanzania Wildlife Societies joined forces with wildlife enthusiasts from Uganda to form The East African Wild Life Society.
We are registered as a not-for-profit Non Governmental Organization under the NGO Coordination Act of Kenya (Act No.19 of 1990) and over the years we have realized monumental achievements and made contributions towards important environmental legislations and policies that today support conservation in the region.
1960s
At the onset of our work, our approach specifically focused on wildlife species protection. This was a period when poaching was rife and hunting was widespread, unregulated, and popular in the region. What’s more, many indigenous communities had been marginalized by land policies and gained almost no benefit from wildlife.
During this period our key activities included supporting animal rescue, anti-poaching, research, building capacities of individual wildlife conservationists and institutions, and supporting conservation projects targeting endangered and threatened wildlife species.
We launched a program that offered financial support to game departments in Kenya (1964), Tanzania (1965) and Uganda (1966) and donated anti-poaching equipment including vehicles and aircraft to National Parks in Kenya and Uganda; Erected fences around national parks; Rescued endangered species like the Grevy’s zebra, Hunter’s hartebeest (hirola) among others and translocated wild animals to safe sanctuaries like the endangered Roan antelope that was translocated from Lumbwa Valley in Western Kenya to Shimba Hills National Reserve (Kwale County).
In 1965, we initiated an education program to support wildlife conservation research work on bird and marine ecosystems, wildlife ecology and indigenous forests and wildlife species including Cheetah, Hyena, Elephant, Rhino and the threatened Tana River Mangabey, Red Colobus monkeys, Sable and Roan antelope. Our research informed decisions that granted several wildlife habitats park status like the Amboseli National Park.
1970s
During this period, our emphasis focused on supporting ecosystems outside of protected areas in a bid to secure land from communities around national parks that were important wildlife dispersal areas and migratory corridors. We were also instrumental in creating protected areas for wildlife like the Masai Mara National Reserve (Kenya), Serengeti National Park (Tanzania) and Tsavo Parks in Kenya. Chyulu Hills for example was a prime black rhino area owned by local communities and the Rhinos suffered poaching. Through our advocacy efforts, the government of Kenya acknowledged the dire need to declare Chyulu Hills a protected area. Hunting was also banned in Kenya in 1977.
Our research during this period was also the first to show that wildlife and pastoralists have to co-exist and that 75 percent of Kenya’s wildlife is found outside of protected areas. This led to the establishment of non-state protected areas today known as community conservancies in the region.
It was also during this period that we relaunched our publication ‘Africana’ into the now known SWARA Magazine whose objective is to highlight conservation matters in the wider region of East Africa. Swara is the Kiswahili name for Impala – a widespread large antelope of the African plains. Our logo bears this antelope.
1980s
During this period there was the need for a central coordinating organization to oversee the problems of wildlife conservation throughout the nation of Kenya. In 1989, EAWLS advocated for a quasi-government institution to manage the National Parks and Game Reserves in Kenya. This led to the establishment of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) which replaced the Wildlife Conservation and Management Department (WCDM).
It was also during this period that Kenya's elephant population dropped by 85 percent, largely due to poaching. In partnership with others, we campaigned strongly for an international ban on ivory trade. As a gesture to persuade the world to halt the ivory trade, the then President Daniel Arap Moi ignited 12 tons of elephant tusks. A ban was consequently enforced in 1989 and ivory prices dropped dramatically, decreasing elephant poaching throughout Africa.
In 1982, EAWLS sponsored the late conservationist Michael Werikhe to raise awareness about the plight of the Black Rhino. Werikhe walked from Mombasa to Nairobi and across five countries in Europe and USA, and raised funds that supported rhino ecology studies and through EAWLS led to the establishment of the first rhino sanctuary in Lake Nakuru National Park in 1984.
1990s
During this period, we broadened our scope to include support for forests, wetlands, and marine conservation, and grew our advocacy work by bringing together civil society organizations to jointly champion the same cause. We began mobilizing communities to become more involved in conservation and stem government excesses.
We, therefore, established sector-based national forums including the Kenya Forests Working Group (KFWG), the Kenya Wetlands Forum (KWF) and the Kenya Wildlife Conservation Forum (KWCF) as sub-committees of EAWLS for joint advocacy work. This model was further instrumental in the formation of the Tanzania Forests Working Group (TFWG) and Uganda Forests Working Group (UFWG).
Through these forums we supported a review of the Environment Management and Co-ordination Act, 1999, making sure proper Environmental Impact Assessment protocol was established by this law in Kenya.
2000s
During this period, our work continued to engage the forums in advocating for environmental laws and policies for the proper management of natural habitats in the region. Our campaigns led to several successes that formed the pillars of improved natural resource management by various established government agencies.
In 2001 for example, the EAWLS and the KFWG launched an advocacy campaign to halt the large-scale sub-division of 67,000 hectares of important protected forests in Mt. Kenya and the Mau Forest Complex. The campaign advocated for a law to stop the loss of forests in Kenya resulting in the enactment of the Forest Act, 2005.
In 2002 we established about 350 Community Forest Associations (CFAs) and 8 Beach Management Units (BMUs) to provide coordinated support to natural resource co-management with government agencies. We continue to build capacities of local communities to ensure restoration of degraded ecosystems including rehabilitation of degraded forests and coral reefs (important fish breeding areas). We also assist them to formulate Community Conserved Areas (CCAs) and develop management plans for key biodiversity areas.
We also advocated against illegal ring net fishing at Kenya’s coastline taking place at between 1 and 2.5 nautical miles, along the less than 30 meter deep coral reefs and in protected Watamu Marine Reserve. This led to the development of a management plan for guiding ring net fishing in a legal and sustainable manner.
In 2009, we advocated against the construction of a highway through the environmentally-sensitive Aberdare National Park which could have led to habitat fragmentation and biodiversity loss. As a result, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) refused to grant a license for this construction.
In 2008, the Government of Kenya initiated a Task Force to address the destruction of the Mau Forest Complex. Both the EAWLS’ then Chairman and the Executive Director facilitated the task force, resulting in the formation of the Kenya Water Towers Agency (KWTA) whose mandate is to enhance the coordination of Kenya’s most important forested water catchments.
2010s
In 2002 we established about 350 Community Forest Associations (CFAs) and 8 Beach Management Units (BMUs) to provide coordinated support to natural resource co-management with government agencies. We continue to build capacities of local communities to ensure restoration of degraded ecosystems including rehabilitation of degraded forests and coral reefs (important fish breeding areas). We also assist them to formulate Community Conserved Areas (CCAs) and develop management plans for key biodiversity areas.
During this period, our work focused mainly on litigation, land use advocacy, policy reviews and development of related laws, conservation projects, public education, stakeholder participation and capacity building of network institutions. We managed to record a number of successes in our advocacy campaigns which saw the halting of some government projects that threatened natural habitats.
The onset of devolution in Kenya during this period helped us establish county natural resource networks in Laikipia, Samburu, Kwale, Nakuru, Nyandarua and Narok Counties, with members from community groups, the private sector, academia, research institutions, CSOs, individuals and other relevant stakeholders. The networks continue to carry out advocacy in conservation and have so far contributed to the formulation and review of a number of policies and laws both at national and county levels and developed strategic conservation management plans.
In 2010, we spearheaded an advocacy campaign that led to the government putting on hold a proposal by the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) to build a dam inside the South Nandi forest. This development would have led to the clearance of 1,185 hectares of closed forest canopy rainforest, significantly draining the Yala swamp and altering local micro-climate, adversely affecting farming, and leading to biodiversity loss and habitat degradation.
Also in 2013, together with other partners, EAWLS appealed to the National Environment Tribunal (NET) to stop the proposed construction of the Nairobi Southern by-pass through the Nairobi National Park. A stay order was given by NET in May 2013 stopping the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) from proceeding with the road construction until the law and other procedures were followed. The government however went ahead with its plans despite court orders.
We also spearheaded litigation that led to the High Court reversing a legal notice published by the Tourism and Wildlife Minister in 2005 that had downgraded the Amboseli National Park to a National Reserve.
In 2011 through evidence-based advocacy, we advised NEMA to reject the large-scale proposed Jatropha plantations which would have cleared 110,000 Ha of Dakatcha woodlands and Tana Delta. This proposal was not economically nor ecologically viable and it would have undermined local land use planning efforts.
In 2013, the EAWLS facilitated stakeholders to give their input in Land law formulation in order that it may conform to the National Land Policy of 2009. We also engaged the Ministry of Environment and Members of Parliament in Kenya to review the Wildlife Act of 1975. This led to the enactment of the Land Act, 2012; Land Registration Act, 2012; the National Land Commission Act, 2012; and the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013.
In 2013 EAWLS provided legal support to a court case advanced by local communities seeking court orders compelling the Tana and Athi River Development Authority (TARDA) to develop and implement a comprehensive land use for the Delta. The High Court ruled in favor of the communities ordering development agencies to develop and share with stakeholders land use plans for ongoing and planned development in the Tana Delta.
In 2012, the EAWLS in collaboration with the Tanzania Natural resource Forum (TNRF) initiated discussions between the Kenyan and Tanzanian governments on ways to collaborate and harmonize efforts to develop a viable and sustainable forest product trade between the two countries.
During the same year, we joined other conservationists in Tanzania to advocate against the construction of a highway across Serengeti National Park. This would have undermined conservation efforts across the Mara-Serengeti ecosystems and increased pressure in the Park.
In 2008, the Government of Kenya initiated a Task Force to address the destruction of the Mau Forest Complex. Both the EAWLS’ then Chairman and the Executive Director facilitated the task force, resulting in the formation of the Kenya Water Towers Agency (KWTA) whose mandate is to enhance the coordination of Kenya’s most important forested water catchments.
2020s
During this period we developed a new strategic plan that will see EAWLS addressing pressing issues currently causing biodiversity loss and degradation. Our advocacy work now mainly focuses on climate change, environmental pollution, deforestation, infrastructural development and weak environmental governance of natural resources.
In 2020, EAWLS initiated advocacy efforts against the encroachment of Satima escarpment in Nyandarua County in which up to 3125 acres of the Muruai- Kirima Forest, a water catchment area for several wetlands in the area including Lake Ol Bolossat had been encroached. As a result, Kenya Forest Service intervened and halted the process. We continue to monitor the developments.
Following protests in Uganda against the conversion of 5,770 hectares of Bugoma Forest Reserve in western Uganda into a sugar plantation by Hoima Sugar Ltd, the EAWLS filed a case at the East African Court of Justice in 2020 to be enjoined as Amicus Curiae. This process is ongoing.
We further joined Uganda conservation activists to campaign against the plan to construct a 360MW hydropower dam at Murchinson Falls which could have had detrimental effects on the ecosystem. The parliament of Uganda unanimously rejected these plans and adopted a report by the parliamentary committee on environment.
We submitted our input to the Draft Nairobi National Park Management Plan by engaging our members and incorporating their views. We further engaged with stakeholders on the draft Forest Policy and submitted reports to relevant authorities.
Through the DeCoalonize campaign in conjunction with other stakeholders, we have been battling against plans to build a coal-fired power plant in Lamu. As a result, General Electric (GE), a key stakeholder of the proposed project announced their intention to exit an agreement to design, construct and maintain the plant because the American multinational is ending its involvement in the coal power market as it shifts to renewable energy.
Additionally, we reviewed the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed construction of Shimoni Port at the Coast and submitted our views to the relevant authorities including NEMA. We are currently following up on this.
1960s
At the onset of our work, our approach specifically focused on wildlife species protection. This was a period when poaching was rife and hunting was widespread, unregulated, and popular in the region. What’s more, many indigenous communities had been marginalized by land policies and gained almost no benefit from wildlife.
During this period our key activities included supporting animal rescue, anti-poaching, research, building capacities of individual wildlife conservationists and institutions, and supporting conservation projects targeting endangered and threatened wildlife species.
We launched a program that offered financial support to game departments in Kenya (1964), Tanzania (1965) and Uganda (1966) and donated anti-poaching equipment including vehicles and aircraft to National Parks in Kenya and Uganda; Erected fences around national parks; Rescued endangered species like the Grevy’s zebra, Hunter’s hartebeest (hirola) among others and translocated wild animals to safe sanctuaries like the endangered Roan antelope that was translocated from Lumbwa Valley in Western Kenya to Shimba Hills National Reserve (Kwale County).
In 1965, we initiated an education program to support wildlife conservation research work on bird and marine ecosystems, wildlife ecology and indigenous forests and wildlife species including Cheetah, Hyena, Elephant, Rhino and the threatened Tana River Mangabey, Red Colobus monkeys, Sable and Roan antelope. Our research informed decisions that granted several wildlife habitats park status like the Amboseli National Park.
1970s
During this period, our emphasis focused on supporting ecosystems outside of protected areas in a bid to secure land from communities around national parks that were important wildlife dispersal areas and migratory corridors. We were also instrumental in creating protected areas for wildlife like the Masai Mara National Reserve (Kenya), Serengeti National Park (Tanzania) and Tsavo Parks in Kenya. Chyulu Hills for example was a prime black rhino area owned by local communities and the Rhinos suffered poaching. Through our advocacy efforts, the government of Kenya acknowledged the dire need to declare Chyulu Hills a protected area. Hunting was also banned in Kenya in 1977.
Our research during this period was also the first to show that wildlife and pastoralists have to co-exist and that 75 percent of Kenya’s wildlife is found outside of protected areas. This led to the establishment of non-state protected areas today known as community conservancies in the region.
It was also during this period that we relaunched our publication ‘Africana’ into the now known SWARA Magazine whose objective is to highlight conservation matters in the wider region of East Africa. Swara is the Kiswahili name for Impala – a widespread large antelope of the African plains. Our logo bears this antelope.
1980s
During this period there was the need for a central coordinating organization to oversee the problems of wildlife conservation throughout the nation of Kenya. In 1989, EAWLS advocated for a quasi-government institution to manage the National Parks and Game Reserves in Kenya. This led to the establishment of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) which replaced the Wildlife Conservation and Management Department (WCDM).
It was also during this period that Kenya's elephant population dropped by 85 percent, largely due to poaching. In partnership with others, we campaigned strongly for an international ban on ivory trade. As a gesture to persuade the world to halt the ivory trade, the then President Daniel Arap Moi ignited 12 tons of elephant tusks. A ban was consequently enforced in 1989 and ivory prices dropped dramatically, decreasing elephant poaching throughout Africa.
In 1982, EAWLS sponsored the late conservationist Michael Werikhe to raise awareness about the plight of the Black Rhino. Werikhe walked from Mombasa to Nairobi and across five countries in Europe and USA, and raised funds that supported rhino ecology studies and through EAWLS led to the establishment of the first rhino sanctuary in Lake Nakuru National Park in 1984.
1990s
During this period, we broadened our scope to include support for forests, wetlands, and marine conservation, and grew our advocacy work by bringing together civil society organizations to jointly champion the same cause. We began mobilizing communities to become more involved in conservation and stem government excesses.
We, therefore, established sector-based national forums including the Kenya Forests Working Group (KFWG), the Kenya Wetlands Forum (KWF) and the Kenya Wildlife Conservation Forum (KWCF) as sub-committees of EAWLS for joint advocacy work. This model was further instrumental in the formation of the Tanzania Forests Working Group (TFWG) and Uganda Forests Working Group (UFWG).
Through these forums we supported a review of the Environment Management and Co-ordination Act, 1999, making sure proper Environmental Impact Assessment protocol was established by this law in Kenya.
2000s
During this period, our work continued to engage the forums in advocating for environmental laws and policies for the proper management of natural habitats in the region. Our campaigns led to several successes that formed the pillars of improved natural resource management by various established government agencies.
In 2001 for example, the EAWLS and the KFWG launched an advocacy campaign to halt the large-scale sub-division of 67,000 hectares of important protected forests in Mt. Kenya and the Mau Forest Complex. The campaign advocated for a law to stop the loss of forests in Kenya resulting in the enactment of the Forest Act, 2005.
In 2002 we established about 350 Community Forest Associations (CFAs) and 8 Beach Management Units (BMUs) to provide coordinated support to natural resource co-management with government agencies. We continue to build capacities of local communities to ensure restoration of degraded ecosystems including rehabilitation of degraded forests and coral reefs (important fish breeding areas). We also assist them to formulate Community Conserved Areas (CCAs) and develop management plans for key biodiversity areas.
We also advocated against illegal ring net fishing at Kenya’s coastline taking place at between 1 and 2.5 nautical miles, along the less than 30 meter deep coral reefs and in protected Watamu Marine Reserve. This led to the development of a management plan for guiding ring net fishing in a legal and sustainable manner.
In 2009, we advocated against the construction of a highway through the environmentally-sensitive Aberdare National Park which could have led to habitat fragmentation and biodiversity loss. As a result, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) refused to grant a license for this construction.
In 2008, the Government of Kenya initiated a Task Force to address the destruction of the Mau Forest Complex. Both the EAWLS’ then Chairman and the Executive Director facilitated the task force, resulting in the formation of the Kenya Water Towers Agency (KWTA) whose mandate is to enhance the coordination of Kenya’s most important forested water catchments.
2010s
During this period, our work focused mainly on litigation, land use advocacy, policy reviews and development of related laws, conservation projects, public education, stakeholder participation and capacity building of network institutions. We managed to record a number of successes in our advocacy campaigns which saw the halting of some government projects that threatened natural habitats.
The onset of devolution in Kenya during this period helped us establish county natural resource networks in Laikipia, Samburu, Kwale, Nakuru, Nyandarua and Narok Counties, with members from community groups, the private sector, academia, research institutions, CSOs, individuals and other relevant stakeholders. The networks continue to carry out advocacy in conservation and have so far contributed to the formulation and review of a number of policies and laws both at national and county levels and developed strategic conservation management plans.
In 2010, we spearheaded an advocacy campaign that led to the government putting on hold a proposal by the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) to build a dam inside the South Nandi forest. This development would have led to the clearance of 1,185 hectares of closed forest canopy rainforest, significantly draining the Yala swamp and altering local micro-climate, adversely affecting farming, and leading to biodiversity loss and habitat degradation.
We also spearheaded litigation that led to the High Court reversing a legal notice published by the Tourism and Wildlife Minister in 2005 that had downgraded the Amboseli National Park to a National Reserve.
In 2011 through evidence-based advocacy, we advised NEMA to reject the large-scale proposed Jatropha plantations which would have cleared 110,000 Ha of Dakatcha woodlands and Tana Delta. This proposal was not economically nor ecologically viable and it would have undermined local land use planning efforts.
Also in 2013, together with other partners, EAWLS appealed to the National Environment Tribunal (NET) to stop the proposed construction of the Nairobi Southern by-pass through the Nairobi National Park. A stay order was given by NET in May 2013 stopping the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) from proceeding with the road construction until the law and other procedures were followed. The government however went ahead with its plans despite court orders.
In 2013, the EAWLS facilitated stakeholders to give their input in Land law formulation in order that it may conform to the National Land Policy of 2009. We also engaged the Ministry of Environment and Members of Parliament in Kenya to review the Wildlife Act of 1975. This led to the enactment of the Land Act, 2012; Land Registration Act, 2012; the National Land Commission Act, 2012; and the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013.
In 2013 EAWLS provided legal support to a court case advanced by local communities seeking court orders compelling the Tana and Athi River Development Authority (TARDA) to develop and implement a comprehensive land use for the Delta. The High Court ruled in favor of the communities ordering development agencies to develop and share with stakeholders land use plans for ongoing and planned development in the Tana Delta.
In 2012, the EAWLS in collaboration with the Tanzania Natural resource Forum (TNRF) initiated discussions between the Kenyan and Tanzanian governments on ways to collaborate and harmonize efforts to develop a viable and sustainable forest product trade between the two countries.
During the same year, we joined other conservationists in Tanzania to advocate against the construction of a highway across Serengeti National Park. This would have undermined conservation efforts across the Mara-Serengeti ecosystems and increased pressure in the Park.
In 2019 we developed Lake Ol Bolossat Management Plan after successfully pushing the government to declare Lake Ol Bolossat as a protected wetland and subsequently, it was gazetted in 2018. The Integrated Management Plan (IMP) was validated by relevant stakeholders and the final report was submitted to NEMA for ratification and launching.
In 2018, we initiated and facilitated the process of drafting the Bomet County Forest Conservation and Management Bill. This document has since been presented to the Bomet County Assembly which has studied it hence awaiting approval.
In 2017 we lobbied against the proposed sugar plantation in the Tana Delta that would have destroyed the ecosystem. We also contributed to the development of The Environmental Management and Co-ordination Regulations of 2009 for wetlands, riverbanks, lakeshores and seashore Management and their subsequent amendment in 2017/18.
In 2016, we conducted an Environmental Audit report and a policy brief on camps and lodges in Maasai Mara National Reserve which prompted the County Government of Narok to issue a stoppage order in 2018 that stopped construction of further camps or lodges in the reserve. The Policy Brief was drafted in 2017. EAWLS further initiated and facilitated the process of drafting Narok Charcoal and farm forestry regulations.
In 2014, EAWLS advocated for the government to take action in response to increased poaching of elephants for ivory and rhinos horns despite increased penalties in the Wildlife Act, 2013. EAWLS was subsequently appointed to sit in the Wildlife Security Task Force which studied poaching, ivory and rhino horn trafficking and wildlife insecurity. Recommendations were made to address wildlife insecurity in the region.
2020s
During this period we developed a new strategic plan that will see EAWLS addressing pressing issues currently causing biodiversity loss and degradation. Our advocacy work now mainly focuses on climate change, environmental pollution, deforestation, infrastructural development and weak environmental governance of natural resources.
In 2020, EAWLS initiated advocacy efforts against the encroachment of Satima escarpment in Nyandarua County in which up to 3125 acres of the Muruai- Kirima Forest, a water catchment area for several wetlands in the area including Lake Ol Bolossat had been encroached. As a result, Kenya Forest Service intervened and halted the process. We continue to monitor the developments.
Following protests in Uganda against the conversion of 5,770 hectares of Bugoma Forest Reserve in western Uganda into a sugar plantation by Hoima Sugar Ltd, the EAWLS filed a case at the East African Court of Justice in 2020 to be enjoined as Amicus Curiae. This process is ongoing.
We further joined Uganda conservation activists to campaign against the plan to construct a 360MW hydropower dam at Murchinson Falls which could have had detrimental effects on the ecosystem. The parliament of Uganda unanimously rejected these plans and adopted a report by the parliamentary committee on environment.
We submitted our input to the Draft Nairobi National Park Management Plan by engaging our members and incorporating their views. We further engaged with stakeholders on the draft Forest Policy and submitted reports to relevant authorities.
Through the DeCoalonize campaign in conjunction with other stakeholders, we have been battling against plans to build a coal-fired power plant in Lamu. As a result, General Electric (GE), a key stakeholder of the proposed project announced their intention to exit an agreement to design, construct and maintain the plant because the American multinational is ending its involvement in the coal power market as it shifts to renewable energy.
Additionally, we reviewed the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed construction of Shimoni Port at the Coast and submitted our views to the relevant authorities including NEMA. We are currently following up on this.
