NAIROBI, Kenya — The Cabinet has approved the establishment of the Nairobi National Park–Athi–Kapiti Wildlife Corridor, a landmark conservation project aimed at reconnecting wildlife habitats between Nairobi, Machakos, and Kajiado counties.
The initiative, stemming from a 2023 presidential directive to address habitat fragmentation and escalating human–wildlife conflict, will secure key migratory routes and dispersal areas critical for species such as zebra, wildebeest, and gazelles.
Set to span three years beginning in the 2026/2027 financial year, the project will involve strategic land acquisition, wildlife-friendly fencing, and the construction of overpasses and underpasses to allow safe animal crossings.
Portions of public land, including areas within the Export Processing Zone (EPZ), will be transferred to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) for conservation use.
“The corridor will restore connectivity between Nairobi National Park and neighboring conservancies, mitigating conflict and ensuring sustainable wildlife populations,” said a Cabinet statement.
The initiative aligns with the 2016 Wildlife Corridors and Dispersal Areas Report and Kenya’s Vision 2030 blueprint, reflecting the government’s commitment to biodiversity conservation. Funding will be mobilized through partnerships with local and international conservation agencies, nature bonds, and debt-for-nature swaps.
However, the project will require careful negotiation with landowners and developers to ensure minimal disruption to communities and commercial operations.
Authorities have pledged community engagement and compensation frameworks as part of the corridor’s implementation plan.
Once completed, the corridor is expected to reduce human–wildlife encounters, improve genetic diversity among wildlife populations, and strengthen Kenya’s position as a regional leader in conservation.
