Kenya and two international partners launched a $160 million conservation programme on Wednesday, 21 October, in Taita Taveta, aimed at protecting natural areas while supporting the livelihoods of people living nearby. Known as Thamani Asili, it is designed to run for ten years.
The funding is split between $80 million in philanthropic contributions and a matching $80 million expected from the Kenyan government. According to The Nature Conservancy and Enduring Earth, payments will be phased and linked to public commitments. The full amount has therefore not been disbursed at launch.
The initiative plans activities covering 17.3 million hectares, including better management of existing protected areas and conservation projects carried out with local communities. It forms part of Kenya's target to protect 30% of its land, inland waters and coastal areas.
The programme aims to connect wildlife protection with local economic activity. Early investment will focus on four regions, including Tsavo and the landscapes linking Kenya's Maasai Mara reserve with the Serengeti in Tanzania. Its backers identify ecotourism and pasture management among the activities that could benefit.
The partners are targeting 7,800 direct jobs and 15,000 indirect jobs. They estimate that 1.6 million people could benefit directly and another 3.9 million indirectly. These are intended outcomes over the life of the programme, not jobs already created.