NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya has digitized the issuance of wildlife research permits, reducing the processing time from a month to just a day.
This new development marks a significant shift from the outdated, paper-based method to an efficient, digital system accessible through the e-citizen portal.
Speaking at the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) in Naivasha, Wildlife and Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano lauded the introduction of the online permitting portal as a “game-changer in conservation.”
She noted that the previous cumbersome process, which required researchers to travel to Naivasha to obtain permits, had hampered numerous research programs.
“Now, permits can be acquired swiftly online, allowing researchers to focus on their vital work,” Miano said.
Miano emphasized the government’s commitment to increasing funding for wildlife research, highlighting its critical role in shaping conservation strategies at a time when Kenya’s national parks are increasingly under threat.
“We are working with partners to raise more funds for research, as decisions on wildlife management and conservation cannot be made without robust data and analysis,” she added.
WRTI Director Dr. Patrick Omondi also praised the new system, noting that the ongoing national wildlife census, which had its first phase in areas like Maasai Mara, Athi-Kapiti ecosystem, and Amboseli, has already seen success.
“The data obtained from this census will provide valuable insights into the current status of wildlife populations and their distribution, which is crucial for effective conservation efforts,” he said.
However, Omondi cautioned that Kenya’s wildlife landscapes continue to face significant challenges, including poaching and the pressures from growing human and livestock populations.
The upcoming second phase of the wildlife census will target Nakuru, Naivasha, and other closed ecosystems like Solai, with findings expected to inform future conservation strategies.
Tourism and Wildlife Principal Secretary Silvia Museiya underscored the urgency of addressing the threats posed by human population growth, climate change, and emerging diseases to the country’s wildlife and water sources.
“The ongoing national wildlife census will be instrumental in tackling these issues,” Museiya said, adding that the insights gained from the recent scientific conference would play a crucial role in shaping the future of wildlife conservation in Kenya.
In another move, WRTI board chairman David Nkedianye revealed that an ad hoc committee has been established to oversee the transfer of land from the Kenya Wildlife Service to WRTI, further cementing the institute’s role in spearheading research and conservation initiatives.
This new development marks a significant shift from the outdated, paper-based method to an efficient, digital system accessible through the e-citizen portal.
Speaking at the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) in Naivasha, Wildlife and Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano lauded the introduction of the online permitting portal as a “game-changer in conservation.”
She noted that the previous cumbersome process, which required researchers to travel to Naivasha to obtain permits, had hampered numerous research programs.
“Now, permits can be acquired swiftly online, allowing researchers to focus on their vital work,” Miano said.
Miano emphasized the government’s commitment to increasing funding for wildlife research, highlighting its critical role in shaping conservation strategies at a time when Kenya’s national parks are increasingly under threat.
“We are working with partners to raise more funds for research, as decisions on wildlife management and conservation cannot be made without robust data and analysis,” she added.
WRTI Director Dr. Patrick Omondi also praised the new system, noting that the ongoing national wildlife census, which had its first phase in areas like Maasai Mara, Athi-Kapiti ecosystem, and Amboseli, has already seen success.
“The data obtained from this census will provide valuable insights into the current status of wildlife populations and their distribution, which is crucial for effective conservation efforts,” he said.
However, Omondi cautioned that Kenya’s wildlife landscapes continue to face significant challenges, including poaching and the pressures from growing human and livestock populations.
The upcoming second phase of the wildlife census will target Nakuru, Naivasha, and other closed ecosystems like Solai, with findings expected to inform future conservation strategies.
Tourism and Wildlife Principal Secretary Silvia Museiya underscored the urgency of addressing the threats posed by human population growth, climate change, and emerging diseases to the country’s wildlife and water sources.
“The ongoing national wildlife census will be instrumental in tackling these issues,” Museiya said, adding that the insights gained from the recent scientific conference would play a crucial role in shaping the future of wildlife conservation in Kenya.
In another move, WRTI board chairman David Nkedianye revealed that an ad hoc committee has been established to oversee the transfer of land from the Kenya Wildlife Service to WRTI, further cementing the institute’s role in spearheading research and conservation initiatives.
