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Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) seeks to raise Sh84 million through the second edition of Magical Kenya Tembo naming festival.

The funds are expected to help with the conservation of the iconic elephant in the Amboseli National Park by preventing conflict with the Maa community over scarce water resources, amidst a ravaging drought.

The inaugural edition was launched by former Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala in October last year.

It raised Sh16 million, which benefitted close to 500 Maa communities through the installation of solar panels to pump water from boreholes, as well as outreach and education programmes. KWS Director for Strategy and Change Edwin Wanyonyi (pictured) said proceeds from the initiative were also used to collar elephants and rehabilitate their water troughs, in addition to tracking wildlife rangers.

“Last year, we raised Sh16 million. This year, we are looking at Sh84 million. In conservation, this amount might not be as huge, but that is a gesture that we are engaged with the community,” Wanyonyi said. He was speaking during a fundraising dinner at the Nairobi National Park that was also used to launch next year’s programme.

Tourism and Wildlife CS Penninah Malonza, KTB chief executive Betty Radier and KWS Director General James Waweru attended the function, which raised Sh12 million. The upcoming naming festival will be held next month at Amboseli National Park.

The initiative is a collaborative effort between KWS and Kenya Tourism Board, under the leadership of Tourism and Wildlife the ministry.