The Global March for Elephants, Rhinos and Lions in Kenya

It was a meeting for the conservationists determined for their voice to be heard against injustices towards the animal species considered to be endangered. The key species highlighted were the lions, rhinos and elephants, which also happen to be among the big five of the Kenyan wildlife.

The walk was scheduled to start by 8:00 am and participants were expected to arrive between 7:00 am and 8:00 am. By that 7:00 am, almost all the participants had already arrived. Passion for conservation has ready improved and this is a good news to the future of the natural resources. Another great achievement is the growth of youth numbers in the conservation activities. Youth had come out in large numbers unlike last year.

Our cabinet secretary for the Environment and Natural resources, Madam Judi Wakhungu, officiated our walk some few minutes past 8: am. She has been savior to wildlife since she got into the office. She has implemented a lot in this sector and Kenya is now a haven to its wildlife.

We were taken through some warm up activities and psyching up, in preparation for the walk. It was fun and bonding opportunity among the conservationists. I was also not left behind, I was able to add a new friend as we did the warm up.  After roughly 45 minutes of warming up, we were ready to start off the walk. Judi Wakhungu officially  flagged us off and youth filled the air with songs to psyche up the walk.

Wildlife direct volunteers and Kenya Wildlife Service rangers assisted in ensuring that the conservationists and the motorists shared the road effectively. The conservationists stuck to the guidelines thus promoting smooth movement flow during the walk.

The walk covered 15 kilometers and this was manageable through the chanting and sing by the youth. Youths are very creative and during the five hours we spent walking was filled with songs that promoted conservation education and awareness. The songs illustrated the importance of conservation, threats they face and what we can do to protect them.

We were able to convince more people along the way to join our walk and those who couldn’t make it seems to have heard our voice. They showed their appreciation by giving us thumps up signs. This was an indication of success that our voice was being heard.

One walk annually can’t make a big difference but our voice was heard and that’s the genesis of success towards conservation. The conservation activities in Kenya includes walks, cycling, marathons and competitions, among others. These activities have increased the knowledge enlightenment among the communities whereby most of the wildlife is found. Most of the wildlife in Kenya live among the community compared to the ones within the conservation areas. Communities have been co-existing with the wildlife but lacked the correct and comprehensive knowledge on the importance of wildlife thus leading to be use of the locals in illegal activities such as poaching. Succeeding in ensuring that the communities is adequately informed on the importance of conserving the natural resources will be a milestone for wildlife conservation.

 

It took us five hours to walk from the Nairobi Museum of Kenya to Kenya Wildlife Service headquarters in Langata. We were graceful received by a very talented deejay who made us dance furiously despite the long walk. We danced for almost forty minutes before being addressed by the various leaders from the different conservation stakeholders.

The speeches took few minutes and conservationists were appreciated for their course of action before being released to attend the exhibitions. Different organizations offered booklets with information on how the wildlife affairs have been succeeding with time and offered opportunities for memberships.

By now I had already got a squad of both new and old friends. We shared our common interests that had brought us together and decided to visit the Nairobi orphanage.

At the orphanage , we were to see few animals such as the lions, monkeys, cheetahs, leopards, wild cat, spotted and striped hyenas, Warthog, crocodile, buffalo, wild dog, crane and bone remains for ancient elephant, rhino and antelopes’ horns.

It was a worthy walk and we do really hope that our voices against injustices towards elephants, lions and rhinos stops. It’s my hope and wish that all the activities undertaken in promoting conservation don’t be in a vain and yield results ensuring that wildlife survives for many generations to come.

Conservation starts with you and me. Whatever you do ensure that you are on the positive side of the conservation. Our wildlife is too adorable to disappear. Developments are excellent for economic growth but let’s not prioritize them and eliminate the nature resources. Mother Nature will also take care of us if we allow her the conducive space.

Meanwhile you can go ahead and practice natural resources conservation wherever you are. Nature needs you.

Cheers

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