Tsavo conservation gains at risk as USAID project halted

Across the savannahs of Tsavo, elephants still roam and grasslands stretch to the horizon. But the lifeline that has kept this ecosystem alive has been abruptly cut.

Taita Taveta Wildlife Conservancies Association’s hard-won gains are under threat after a Sh271.5 million ($2.1 million) USAID-backed project was halted two and a half years into its five-year lifespan. Local conservancies are now scrambling for funding and partnerships to prevent progress from slipping away.

The initiative was designed to protect biodiversity, improve natural resource governance, and build climate resilience across more than 376,000 hectares of critical habitat in Tsavo.

It was one of the largest conservation investments in the region, placing vast tracts under improved community-led management, introducing structured grazing and ecotourism plans, and rehabilitating 430 kilometres of access roads to strengthen anti-poaching patrols and attract tourism investment.

The sudden closure of USAID operations in Kenya in January ended the programme well before its 2027 completion, sparking fears of rising poaching, degraded habitats, and economic setbacks for community’s dependent on conservation-linked livelihoods.

According to TTWCA CEO Alfred Mwanake, the funding cut threatens to undo years of progress in uniting 35 conservancies to protect wildlife, support community livelihoods, and tackle climate change.

“We’re now racing to fill the gap by courting private investors, exploring innovative conservation financing, and strengthening partnerships with organisations like the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) to keep the momentum alive,” he said.

In just two and a half years, the project had trained 133 community rangers, resulting in more than 100 arrests, removed hundreds of snares, and expanded conservation infrastructure with over 1,700 square metres of offices and operational facilities.

“We rolled out solar lighting and energy-efficient cookstoves to over 500 households, cutting carbon emissions, improving air quality, and reducing reliance on firewood. We also trained 1,545 people in climate-smart farming — from agroecology to water harvesting — easing pressure on wildlife habitats while boosting food security,” he said.

The project created new income streams through tourism, beekeeping, and other nature-based enterprises.

 “We had a vision to build a robust honey economy with 1,200 modern beehives. We began training 80 households, each hive capable of producing 20 litres of honey a year. It would have been a steady, sustainable income for families. But without the funds, the beehives were never bought,” he said.

The Tsavo ecosystem — home to more than 16,000 elephants — is one of Africa’s most important wildlife landscapes, acting as a vital corridor between Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks. These routes are crucial for maintaining genetic diversity and reducing human-wildlife conflict by ensuring safe passage between grazing and water sources.

Its protection is also critical in the fight against climate change. Elephants regenerate forests and savannas by dispersing seeds, creating clearings for new vegetation, and maintaining ecosystem balance in landscapes that store large amounts of carbon.

Over the past decade, conservation efforts have made visible progress, but experts warn these gains could unravel quickly without sustained investment. The ecosystem also supports endangered species and provides vital services such as water catchment protection for the coast and surrounding regions. Yet it faces mounting pressures from land fragmentation, climate change, and competition for scarce resources.

“With USAID gone, we’re turning to emerging financing models — carbon credits, biodiversity credits, and payment for ecosystem services,” Mwanake said.

IFAW is among the partners TTWCA is engaging to sustain conservation momentum, given its record in funding anti-poaching, community livelihoods, and cross-border wildlife corridor protection.

According to IFAW Communication and Media Expert Guyo Adhi, the organisation has been working closely with TTWCA to strengthen its institutional capacity, enabling it to effectively manage natural resources across the Tsavo landscape. This partnership has included training conservancy leadership and supporting the development of strategic plans that align conservation with community needs.

“Our goal has been to empower TTWCA with the tools, skills, and systems they need to sustainably manage the rich biodiversity of this region,” he said.

The loss of USAID funding comes as Kenya positions itself as a global conservation leader, with commitments to restore 5.1 million hectares of degraded land and expand climate adaptation.

“Kenya’s conservation success has always come from linking local community resilience with global environmental priorities. The challenge now is keeping that connection strong in a shifting funding landscape. For Taita Taveta’s communities, the choice is stark: secure new partners or watch decades of gains vanish — leaving behind empty waterholes and silent plains where wildlife once thrived,” Mwanake said.