Kenya Minute.
Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Kenya’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Wednesday, 17 June 2026
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Tourism & Environment

Parks, wildlife, conservation, the coast.

Tourism & Environment

WTTC delegation visits Kenya to strengthen conservation and sustainable tourism

The News

A high-level delegation from the World Travel & Tourism Council, led by President & CEO Gloria Guevara, visited Kenya to reinforce global cooperation on conservation and sustainable tourism. The delegation toured key conservation sites including Nairobi National Park, the Ivory Burning Site, and the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, with Kenya's former Tourism Minister Hon. Najib Balala pledging KSh 100,000 towards wildlife conservation efforts.

19 hours ago · Citizen Digital

Yesterday

  1. WTTC delegation visits Kenya to strengthen conservation and sustainable tourism

    A high-level delegation from the World Travel & Tourism Council, led by President & CEO Gloria Guevara, visited Kenya to reinforce global cooperation on conservation and sustainable tourism. The delegation toured key conservation sites including Nairobi National Park, the Ivory Burning Site, and the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, with Kenya's former Tourism Minister Hon. Najib Balala pledging KSh 100,000 towards wildlife conservation efforts.

    19 hours ago · Citizen Digital

  2. Kenya hosts Our Ocean Conference; 100 youth delegates participate

    The Kenya Youth Transition Initiative has deployed 100 youth delegates to the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa (June 16–18), which brings together world leaders, scientists, and civil society to discuss ocean protection, sustainable fisheries, marine conservation, and the blue economy. Kenya is hosting the global summit in Africa for the first time.

    19 hours ago · Citizen Digital

  3. Development projects increasingly encroach on Kenya's forests

    Development projects are increasingly encroaching on Kenya's forests and protected parks, sparking public outrage among Kenyans and conservationists over the future of the country's natural heritage. Recent development plans in Karura Forest have sparked fresh conservation concerns.

    16 June 2026 · The Standard

  4. Conservation groups oppose airstrip construction in Imenti Forest

    Public opposition to airstrip construction in the Upper Imenti Forest Reserve in Meru County is intensifying, with conservation groups, community leaders and environmental advocates calling for an immediate halt, warning the development threatens biodiversity and forest protection efforts.

    16 June 2026 · The Standard

  5. African leaders call for urgent ocean protection amid climate crisis

    African leaders, scientists, and policymakers gathered in Mombasa for the 11th Our Ocean Conference and the Ninth Session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Sub-Commission for Africa, warning that millions of livelihoods and coastal communities are at risk from climate change, pollution, and overfishing unless decisive measures are taken.

    16 June 2026 · The Standard

Monday 15 June

  1. Communities co-manage Mumoni, Mutitu forests under five-year plan

    Communities around Mumoni and Mutitu forests in Kitui will formally collaborate with Kenya Forest Service under a new Participatory Forest Management Plan (2026–2031), with local groups patrolling boundaries and managing resource access across 13,000 hectares in these dryland ecosystems.

    15 June 2026 · The Standard

  2. Kenya develops Marine Spatial Plan for coastal resource management

    Through the Kenya Marine and Fisheries and Socio-Economic Development Project, Kenya is advancing its first Marine Spatial Plan to guide human activities along the coastline and balance conservation with economic use of marine resources. The plan covers the land–sea interface and waters adjacent to Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River and Lamu counties, as well as the territorial sea and Exclusive Economic Zone.

    15 June 2026 · The Standard

  3. Grassroots group restores Aberdare catchment forest ecosystem

    A community organisation is working to restore 2,500 hectares of degraded ecosystems across the Aberdare landscape in Nyandarua County by 2030, integrating trees into farming systems to strengthen livelihoods and address environmental challenges including forest loss and drying rivers.

    15 June 2026 · The Standard

  4. Butterfly farming sustains livelihoods while protecting Taita Hills rare species

    Butterfly farmers in Taita Hills forests, including Wilson Mwakulomba, rear and sell pupae to international markets through Kipepeo House in Arabuko-Sokoke, generating regular income while conserving rare butterfly species found only in the region and advocating for forest protection.

    15 June 2026 · The Standard

Sunday 14 June

  1. Taita Taveta governor backs Tsavo fence despite Kajiado protests

    Taita Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime has endorsed plans to put up an electric fence around the 3,200-square-kilometre Tsavo West Rhino Sanctuary, saying it will reduce human-wildlife conflict and create economic opportunities, despite protests from Kajiado leaders and pastoralist communities who argue the barriers will block grazing routes and trap wildlife.

    14 June 2026 · The Standard

  2. Taita governor backs Tsavo fence; Kajiado leaders protest

    Governor Andrew Mwadime has endorsed plans to fence the 3,200-square-kilometre Tsavo West Rhino Sanctuary, saying it will reduce human-wildlife conflict and create economic opportunities. The project faces opposition from Kajiado leaders and pastoralist communities who argue the barriers will block livestock routes and trap wildlife, escalating human-animal conflicts.

    14 June 2026 · The Standard

Saturday 13 June

  1. Narok County appoints Maasai Mara University to lead urban greening

    Narok County Government has appointed Maasai Mara University to lead a multi-agency initiative to green Narok Town through tree planting, rehabilitation of public spaces, and sustainable urban planning practices to address rapid urbanisation and climate change effects.

    13 June 2026 · The Standard

Friday 12 June

  1. KWS investigates viral video of rare giant lobelias destruction

    Kenya Wildlife Service has launched investigations into a viral social media video allegedly showing destruction of Giant Lobelias, a rare alpine plant species found in Kenya's high-altitude mountain ecosystems. The agency is working to verify the footage's authenticity, identify the location, and determine the identities of those involved.

    12 June 2026 · Capital News

  2. New wildlife diagnostic lab opens in northern Kenya

    Conservation stakeholders have welcomed the launch of a veterinary diagnostic laboratory in northern Kenya designed to fill a gap in accessible diagnostic infrastructure for wildlife and pastoral communities across the region.

    12 June 2026 · The Standard

Thursday 11 June

  1. Three poachers arrested in Marsabit with 39.5kg elephant tusks

    Police in Marsabit arrested three suspected poachers found in possession of 13 elephant tusks weighing 39.5 kilograms, with an estimated street value of Ksh.600,000. The arrests followed a tip-off from members of the public, and the suspects are expected to be arraigned in court.

    11 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Court halts state activities in Imenti Forest pending development petition

    The Environment and Land Court has issued interim orders preserving Imenti Forest and barring the state from undertaking activities that could alter the forest, pending hearing of a constitutional petition challenging alleged plans for developments including an airstrip and golf course. Justice Oguttu Mboya certified the matter as urgent and ordered the case be heard on a priority basis while maintaining the status quo.

    11 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. Urban greening strategy matters more than tree count alone

    Cities worldwide are planting more trees to address rising urban heat from climate change, but research shows trees alone are often insufficient and the wrong type of greening can make streets feel less comfortable on hot days.

    11 June 2026 · The Standard

  4. Kenya's forests face pressures from development and land grabs

    Kenya's forests and protected parks are facing growing development pressure from infrastructure expansion, state-backed projects, and private developments.

    11 June 2026 · The Standard

  5. Konza Technopolis becomes Africa's first smart city wildlife conservancy

    Kenya Wildlife Service granted provisional registration to a 404.69-hectare wildlife conservancy embedded within Konza Technopolis's master plan, making it the first purpose-built smart city in Africa to formally integrate a protected conservation area into its urban development framework. The conservancy will be maintained for a minimum of 15 years under KWS regulations.

    11 June 2026 · The Standard

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