Wildlife Conservation Bill 2025

Introduction

What Is the Wildlife Conservation & Management Bill, 2025?

The Wildlife Conservation and Management Bill 2025 is a transformative piece of legislation that seeks to redefine how Kenya manages and protects its wildlife. Unlike an amendment, this is a comprehensive new law aimed at replacing the existing Wildlife Act to better reflect the needs of the country today and in the future.

The State Department for Wildlife, under the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, has commenced the review of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (CAP 376). This review process provides an opportunity for the public, stakeholders, and conservationists to provide input and ensure the Bill is inclusive, just, and responsive to emerging challenges and opportunities.

Why Your Voice Matters

The Wildlife Conservation & Management Bill 2025 will define how Kenya protects and manages its wildlife, affecting communities, biodiversity, conservation jobs, and tourism. This is a key moment for youth to engage in environmental governance and influence a law that will shape Kenya's wildlife future for generations.

Your engagement can help:

Preserve natural habitats and biodiversity for future generations as challenges grow
Contribute fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and a long term vision crucial for sustainable wildlife conservation
Advocate for inclusive and community based conservation approaches that empower local communities and ensure their involvement in decision making processes

How To Participate

Review the Wildlife Conservation and Management Bill, 2025

Identify Key Differences

Compare the Wildlife Conservation & Management Act 2013 with the Wildlife Bill 2025 using the table below.

Review the Full Documents

Read both the Wildlife Conservation & Management Act 2013 and the Wildlife Bill 2025 in detail.

Provide Feedback

Submit comments on specific sections using the email form at the bottom of this page. Copy ready made comments from the carousel below or write your own.

Wildlife Conservation and Management Bill 2025 notice

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Side by Side Comparison

Key Differences Between 2013 Act and 2025 Bill

Area	Wildlife Conservation & Management Act 2013	Wildlife Conservation & Management Bill 2025
Structural & Institutional Changes	The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) was the main body.	Establishes a new Kenya Wildlife Regulatory Authority (KWRA) to regulate, coordinate, and oversee the wildlife sector independently from KWS.
Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund	Included a Wildlife Compensation Scheme but not a standalone trust fund body.	Introduces a Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund governed by a board and run by a CEO to manage compensation, conservation incentives, and project funding.
Wildlife Tribunal & Dispute Mechanism	Disputes were less formally structured.	Establishes the National Wildlife Tribunal to handle compensation disputes and appeals, with recourse to the Environment and Land Court.
Recognition of Wildlife as Public Trust	Did not explicitly define wildlife as a perpetual public trust.	Declares wildlife a national asset held in trust by the government for all Kenyans.
Wildlife Economy	Not specifically addressed.	The concept of a "wildlife economy" is introduced encouraging profitable use of wildlife resources aligned with conservation (e.g., carbon markets, biodiversity credits, eco tourism).
County Government Roles	Limited.	Counties are formally assigned clear wildlife conservation mandates including implementing benefit sharing frameworks, managing national reserves, and promoting bio trade.
Wildlife Critical Areas	Not specifically addressed.	Adds protection for wildlife critical areas (e.g., migratory routes, breeding sites, spiritual sites) outside traditional protected zones.
Economic Incentives & Tax Benefits	Mentions benefit sharing but not detailed incentive structures.	Mandates the Cabinet Secretary to publish tax incentives and other economic rewards for individuals and communities engaging in conservation.
Human Wildlife Conflict Compensation	Compensation existed, but funding and structure were less clear.	Creates a formal compensation scheme funded through parliamentary allocations, 2% of conservation/tourism revenues, and other approved sources. Administered by a designated Scheme Administrator.
Multilateral Agreements	Not specifically addressed.	Designates specific Management and Scientific Authorities for wildlife treaties, aligns with CITES, and mandates annual reports to Parliament.

Bill Structure

Key Sections of the Bill

The Wildlife Conservation & Management Bill, 2025 is organized into 16 Parts and accompanying Schedules. Here is an overview of each:

Part I: Preliminary (Sections 1 5)

Sets the foundational context for the Bill. It includes the definitions of key terms, the purpose of the Bill, and its scope. It is essential to understand the general principles before diving into the specifics.

Part II: Wildlife Conservation & Co ordination (Sections 6 7)

Outlines National Wildlife Co Ordination and Responsibilities of County government.

Part III: Administration, Management & Oversight (Sections 8 64)

Provides a comprehensive framework for the administration, management, and oversight of wildlife conservation efforts in Kenya.

Part IV: National Wildlife Conservation Policy & Strategy (Sections 65 66)

Addresses the National Wildlife Conservation Policy and Management Strategy frameworks.

Part V: Conservation, Protection & Management (Sections 67 133)

Outlines comprehensive provisions for the conservation, protection, and management of wildlife in Kenya.

Part VI: Conservation Orders & Easements (Sections 134 137)

Introduces key mechanisms to protect and manage wildlife through Conservation Orders and Conservation Easements. These provisions enable the legal protection of critical habitats and wildlife species on both public and private lands. Conservation orders allow authorities to issue protection measures for specific wildlife or habitats, while conservation easements are voluntary agreements with landowners to protect wildlife areas on private land. This part also emphasizes the importance of community involvement in conservation efforts.

Part VII: National Wildlife Biodiversity Data (Sections 138 141)

Focuses on the establishment and management of National Wildlife Biodiversity Data. It emphasizes the importance of collecting, maintaining, and analysing data on wildlife populations, ecosystems, and biodiversity. Effective management of this data is critical for informed decision making in conservation efforts, policy formulation, and wildlife management strategies.

Part VIII: Wildlife Biodiversity Economy (Sections 142 162)

Introduces the concept of the Wildlife Biodiversity Economy. It aims to establish a framework for the integration of wildlife conservation and economic development, ensuring that wildlife and biodiversity contribute to the country's economic growth. This part highlights the link between wildlife conservation and sustainable economic activities, promoting the use of wildlife resources in a way that benefits local communities, the nation, and conservation efforts.

Part IX: Licences & Permits on Trade of Wildlife Specimen (Sections 163 171)

Outlines the legal framework for the regulation of licenses and permits related to the trade of wildlife specimens. It addresses the need to control and monitor the trade of wildlife and their products to prevent illegal or unsustainable exploitation, while ensuring that legal trade contributes to conservation efforts and supports the wildlife economy. This part is crucial in balancing the legal trade of wildlife specimens with stringent regulations designed to protect endangered species and prevent trafficking.

Part X: Human Wildlife Coexistence (Sections 172 193)

Focuses on addressing the growing concern of human wildlife conflict and promoting coexistence between human populations and wildlife. This section outlines measures to mitigate conflicts, protect both wildlife and human communities, and ensure that communities living near wildlife rich areas are supported in their efforts to live harmoniously with wildlife.

Part XI: International Treaties, Conventions & Agreements (Sections 194 202)

Focuses on Kenya's international obligations related to wildlife conservation. It outlines how the country will align its national wildlife management policies with international treaties, conventions, and agreements. This section plays a pivotal role in ensuring that Kenya complies with its commitments to global environmental protection efforts, as well as the protection of biodiversity and endangered species.

Part XII: National Wildlife Conservation Status Report (Section 203)

This section institutionalizes accountability and transparency in Kenya's wildlife management system by requiring the government to regularly assess, compile, and publicly share the status of the country's wildlife resources and ecosystems. It aims to provide a comprehensive national snapshot of the state of biodiversity, species populations, conservation efforts, threats, and policy implementation progress.

Part XIII: National Wildlife Tribunal (Sections 204 214)

Establishes the National Wildlife Tribunal as a specialized quasi judicial body designed to handle disputes, appeals, and complaints arising under the provisions of the Act. This section is critical to ensuring access to justice, accountability, and enforcement of wildlife related laws and decisions made by regulatory bodies.

Part XIV: Enforcement & Compliance (Sections 215 223)

Provides a legal framework for ensuring adherence to the provisions of the Bill through structured enforcement mechanisms and compliance systems. This section strengthens Kenya's ability to uphold wildlife laws by clearly assigning powers, responsibilities, and procedures to enforcement agencies and actors.

Part XV: Offences & Penalties (Sections 224 242)

This part outlines specific violations under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Bill, 2025, and the corresponding legal consequences. It is critical in deterring illegal activities related to wildlife and ensuring robust protection for Kenya's natural heritage.

Part XVI: Miscellaneous (Sections 243 249)

Contains final but essential legal provisions that support the interpretation, implementation, and adaptability of the Act. Though titled "Miscellaneous," this part ties up critical legal and administrative details that ensure the Bill can be fully operationalized across various scenarios.

Schedules

The Schedules provide the technical details, forms, procedural guidance, and supplementary information necessary for the practical implementation of the Act. They are appended at the end of the Bill and serve as legally binding extensions of the main clauses. Schedules function as supporting frameworks; they do not introduce new laws but enable the enforcement and operationalization of various provisions contained within the core parts of the Bill.

Top Line Comments

Linked to Thematic Areas

Copy a comment below and submit it as your own views on the bill.

Wildlife Biodiversity Economy

Kenya's wildlife populations are currently not at a level, whether in numbers, diversity, or ecological health that can support expanded consumptive utilisation. Expanding consumptive utilisation contradicts the precautionary principle that underpins sound conservation policy and is scientifically and ethically unjustifiable.

Licenses & Permits

Kenya has long struggled with enforcement capacity, and expanding consumptive use risks legalizing the laundering of illegal trophies under "licensed" systems. The burden this places on KWS, regulatory authorities, and local communities is significant and unwise, especially without a demonstrated capacity to prevent abuse.

Trade of Wildlife Specimen

Kenya has a global reputation as a wildlife conservation leader. Expanding consumptive use risks violating CITES principles, damaging Kenya's conservation brand and eco tourism appeal, and reducing international support for conservation programs. Kenya's wildlife is not a resource to be harvested, it is a national heritage and a cornerstone of our ecological future and identity.

Youth Participation

The Bill should include a legal definition of youth, create a National Youth Conservation Advisory Committee, and ensure youth representation in governance structures. Youth led research should be supported through streamlined permitting, and annual reporting on youth engagement in the wildlife sector should be mandated.

Human Wildlife Coexistence

Compensation alone is not sufficient to reduce human wildlife conflict. The Bill must integrate deterrent methods and proactive mitigation measures including a Coexistence Support Fund, digital mapping of conflict hotspots, and community based monitoring systems led by youth and local innovators.

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The Wildlife Conservation & Management Bill, 2025