Kenya Space Agency launches Project Centinela to protect endangered Mountain Bongo
By Faith Lagat, January 17, 2026The Kenya Space Agency (KSA) officially launched Project Centinela on January 16, 2026, at Mount Kenya, in a bid to conserve one of the country’s most endangered species.
The initiative combines satellite technology with field-based conservation to safeguard the critically endangered Mountain Bongo, a rare antelope found only in Kenya’s high-altitude forests.
The project builds on a 2023 Memorandum of Understanding between KSA and the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy (MKWC), a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the Mount Kenya ecosystem and leading breeding and conservation efforts for the Mountain Bongo.
Partnering with Planet, a global provider of high-resolution satellite imagery, Project Centinela integrates Earth observation data with on-the-ground conservation to monitor habitats, detect threats early, and guide recovery strategies for the bongo.
“The Kenya Space Agency (KSA), in partnership with Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy (MKWC) and Planet, has officially launched Project Centinela.”
This project marks the start of activities under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2023 between KSA and MKWC to use Earth observation technology to support the conservation of the endangered Mountain Bongo,” read the KSA post in part.
Technology meets conservation
The Mountain Bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci), known for its reddish-brown coat with white stripes and spiraled horns, faces severe threats from habitat loss, poaching, disease, and climate change.
Current estimates suggest fewer than 100 bongos remain in the wild across fragmented forests such as Mount Kenya, the Aberdares, Eburu, and Mau, while captive populations now outnumber those in their natural range.
Project Centinela leverages satellite imagery to identify and prioritise critical habitats, monitor environmental changes over time, strengthen partners’ capacity for data-driven conservation, and provide early warnings on deforestation, habitat degradation, and climate risks.
The combination of space-based monitoring and fieldwork enables real-time tracking of forest health, supports the safe reintroduction of captive-bred bongos, and aligns with Kenya’s National Recovery and Action Plan.
Shared commitment for survival
“This is more than a partnership. It’s a shared commitment to protect one of Earth’s critically endangered species, for current and future generations,” KSA stated in its announcement.
Key contributors to the project include Robert Aruho, Head of MKWC, and the Planet team, Andrew Zolli, Amy Rosenthal, and Gerald Yegon, alongside the KSA staff.
Project Centinela highlights Kenya’s growing use of space technology to support biodiversity. By integrating satellite data with local conservation efforts, the initiative offers a new model for monitoring habitats, preventing illegal activities, and informing adaptive management.