Ruto: Elephant numbers now 36,000 thanks to conservation drive
By Steve Ireri, July 24, 2025President William Ruto has claimed that Kenya’s elephant population has more than doubled since 1989, attributing the growth to deliberate conservation policies and community-driven wildlife protection.
Speaking in Maasai Mara on Thursday, July 24, 2025, Ruto said that in 1989 the country’s elephant numbers had dropped to about 16,000, but have now risen to 36,000, a change he described as evidence of a policy-backed revival.
He added that this turnaround was not by chance, but built on a clear belief that conservation must serve both people and wildlife.
“Consider this — in 1989, our elephant population had plummeted to just 16,000. Today, it has more than doubled, now standing at 36,000. This revival was not accidental. It was built on policy and a deep belief that conservation must work for people as well as wildlife,” he said.
Community conservancies
Ruto further noted that over 160 community conservancies now protect 11 per cent of Kenya’s land, calling it a bold model that has turned villages into champions of biodiversity and drawn admiration globally.
He said rangers in these regions patrol to protect wildlife heritage and preserve hope for the future.
“Across Kenya, over 160 community conservancies protect 11 per cent of our land — a bold experiment that has turned villages into vanguards of biodiversity and created a model admired the world over. This is where rangers patrol to protect our wildlife heritage and defend hope,” he added.
The president also cited the Maasai Mara, which he said welcomes over 400,000 visitors every year, as a shining example of how sustainable tourism can support thriving ecosystems.
“The Maasai Mara welcomes over 400,000 visitors every year. Here, sustainable tourism is a living reality, and ecosystems flourish.”
China partnership
President Ruto further said Kenya’s partnership with China on matters of conservation reflects the same philosophy that development and conservation can go hand in hand.
He noted that under the Belt and Road Initiative and other frameworks, the country is building roads, ports, trust and shared responsibility.
On that note he also touted in 2024 alone, Kenya welcomed 2.4 million international visitors, marking a 15 percent increase.
“Our partnership with China echoes the same philosophy — that progress and conservation can go hand in hand. Through the Belt and Road Initiative and other frameworks, we are building roads and ports and building trust and responsibility. Last year, Kenya welcomed 2.4 million international visitors — a 15 percent increase.”