NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) hosted the Kenya Revenue Authority at Nairobi National Park for a stakeholder engagement marking KRA’s 30th anniversary, where the tax agency adopted a lion cub named “Ushuru” in a symbolic conservation initiative.
The event, held at the Ivory Burning Site, brought together senior government officials, conservation partners, and stakeholders following an early morning game drive showcasing wildlife within the park’s urban setting.
KWS Director General Erustus Kanga said Kenya’s wildlife remains a critical economic driver beyond tourism, supporting livelihoods and sustaining ecosystems that underpin water security, energy production, and climate resilience.
“Kenya’s wildlife is not only a national heritage asset, but a powerful economic engine,” Kanga said, noting that protected areas managed by KWS cover about 8 per cent of the country’s landmass and provide essential ecosystem services.
He highlighted collaboration between KWS and KRA in monitoring imports and exports, strengthening enforcement, and curbing illegal wildlife trade.
The partnership, he said, demonstrates how conservation and revenue administration intersect in protecting national and global heritage.
The lion cub adoption by KRA, now named “Ushuru,” was presented as a shift from awareness to direct action in conservation support. The adoption programme allows institutions and individuals to contribute financially toward wildlife protection and habitat management.
KWS Board Chair Joseph Langat called on private sector players and government agencies to embrace wildlife adoption initiatives, saying conservation requires collective responsibility.
KRA Acting Commissioner General Lilian Nyawanda attended the engagement alongside members of the authority’s board of trustees and other stakeholders.
Officials said the engagement reaffirmed a shared commitment to safeguarding Kenya’s natural resources and strengthening partnerships aimed at securing sustainable ecosystems for future generations.
KWS urged more organisations to participate in wildlife adoption and conservation programmes, saying broader support would enhance protection of biodiversity while reinforcing the sector’s contribution to the national economy.
