WWF-Kenya and Kenya Wildlife
Conservancies Association (KWCA) on Monday celebrated World Day for Safety and Health at Work, calling on all stakeholders to support an inclusive ranger workforce.
This is in response to the findings of the latest Kenya Community Ranger Perception Survey 2024 that revealed challenges that community rangers face in Kenya. The top three challenges were identified as lack of access to professional training, lack of suitable
equipment, and inconsistent working conditions.
Mohamed Awer, Chief Executive Officer, WWF–Kenya, called for the increased
representation of women in the ranger workforce from 6% to at least a third of thecommunity rangers in line with the 2010 constitutional requirements. He also urged stakeholders to support initiatives to improve their welfare and working conditions.
Women bring valuable and diverse skills, perspectives and approaches that enrich the ranger workforce, leading to more successful outcomes for people and wildlife.
WWF-Kenya and KWCA aim to catalyse meaningful dialogue around gender inclusivity in conservation and foster an environment where all rangers can contribute to protecting nature, supporting community well-being, and advancing local economies.
Linet Misiko, Chief Operating Officer, KWCA, said: “There is a critical need to invest in the upskilling and training of community wildlife rangers. The cost of proper training is costly for many emerging conservancies. Therefore, many rangers are deployed with
limited professional training, leaving them underprepared to effectively handle the complex challenges they face on the ground.”
