NAIROBI, Kenya — Environmental champion Dr Isaac Kalua Green has been appointed an Honorary Warden of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) under the prestigious Nation Cadre category — one of the highest civilian recognitions for exemplary service in wildlife conservation.
The appointment, announced in a Gazette Notice dated November 21, 2025, places Dr Kalua among a select group of 10 individuals whose influence, integrity, and national impact have earned them a mandate to support Kenya’s wildlife protection efforts at a strategic, countrywide level.
According to the notice, the Nation Cadre category is reserved for Kenyans whose environmental leadership “transcends regional boundaries,” signalling that their voice and work have national relevance and expectation.
Dr Kalua, the founder of Green Africa Foundation and a long-standing voice in environmental policy, climate protection, and community conservation, was described in the gazette as an individual whose decades of advocacy reflect “unwavering commitment to Kenya’s iconic heritage.”
The Gazette Notice emphasises that the appointment “is not ceremonial,” but a mission assignment aligned with the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, Cap 376. Honorary Wardens serve to complement — not replace — KWS officers.
As a Nation Cadre, Dr Kalua is expected to:
- Support conservation across all regions of Kenya
- Mobilise national and international partnerships
- Provide strategic guidance to KWS leadership
- Promote peaceful coexistence between communities and wildlife
- Enhance public awareness on wildlife protection
- Strengthen policy, advocacy, and national dialogue
Officials familiar with the appointment said the rank is granted only to individuals whose leadership demonstrates credibility, patriotism, and long-term impact. “Their stewardship directly supports the protection of Kenya’s wildlife across the entire country,” the notice reads in part.
Environmental analysts say the elevation of Nation Cadres reflects a broader government strategy to deploy influential public figures in strengthening conservation messaging, policy advocacy, and stakeholder engagement at a time when Kenya faces rising threats, including habitat loss, poaching, climate pressures, and human–wildlife conflict.
Alongside Dr Kalua, nine other Kenyans were appointed Nation Cadre Honorary Wardens. They include Levi Byamukama, Marshal Luusa, Mehdi Morad, Neila Balolia, Praful Narshi Lathia, Dr Rashid A. Aman, Robert M. Kariuki, Shiraz Balolia, and Sophie Kinyua.
The Gazette describes the cohort as individuals whose “work is of national consequence,” with demonstrated capacity to influence public attitudes and drive conservation solutions.
A senior conservation official, speaking on background, told this writer that the appointments come at a time when KWS is seeking to expand strategic partnerships, strengthen environmental diplomacy, and bridge gaps between communities and conservation agencies.
Dr Kalua’s appointment caps more than two decades of vocal environmental advocacy, including campaigns on forest protection, renewable energy adoption, youth conservation training, and climate resilience.
His selection, observers note, is consistent with Kenya’s evolving model of public-oriented conservation where civic leaders, scientists, private-sector actors, and grassroots organizers are increasingly being integrated into national stewardship structures.
Conservation stakeholders welcomed the announcement, with several groups describing the Nation Cadre positions as critical in enhancing Kenya’s conservation vision amid shifting ecological and socio-economic pressures.
With Kenya’s wildlife heritage facing mounting threats, the Honorary Warden appointments signal a renewed push to ensure that national voices, institutional leadership, and community partnerships converge around sustainable protection of ecosystems for future generations.
