The Cabinet, in its sitting in Tuesday, November 11, approved the hiving off of more public land to secure wildlife migration routes from the Nairobi National Park to Athi-Kapiti.
According to a cabinet dispatch following the meeting, this action is part of a bigger plan to curb human-wildlife that have been plaguing the nation.
The Nairobi National Park - Athi-Kapiti Wildlife Corridor will connect the Nairobi National Park to surrounding conservancies in Machakos and Kajiado counties.
"To further the nation’s environmental and conservation priorities, the Cabinet approved the implementation of the Nairobi National Park - Athi-Kapiti Wildlife Corridor to secure critical migratory routes and dispersal areas vital for the survival of Kenya’s wildlife," the statement read in part.
"The decision follows a presidential directive in July 2023, which called for urgent action to curb habitat fragmentation and escalating human-wildlife conflict around Nairobi National Park."
Among the animal species expected to traverse this route will be zebras, wildebeestes, and gazelles.
To acquire the land needed for this corridor, parts of public land including sections of the Export Processing Zone, will be surrendered to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) for conservation use.
Other projects that will be put put up are wildlife-friendly fencing, and the construction of overpasses and underpasses to enable safe animal crossings.
Construction for this infrastructure is expected to kick of in the upcoming 2026/27 financial year and it will take three years to complete.
The whole project is all in part of Wildlife Corridors and Dispersal Areas Report (2016), Vision 2030, and Kenya’s commitment to sustainable biodiversity.
"The three-year project, beginning in the 2026/2027 financial year, will leverage partnerships with conservation agencies and innovative financing such as nature bonds and debt-for-nature swaps," the dispatch read.
"Cabinet affirmed that this initiative aligns with the Wildlife Corridors and Dispersal Areas Report (2016), Vision 2030, and Kenya’s commitment to sustainable biodiversity conservation."
