KWS launches the Tusk Lion Trail in Nairobi, sponsored by Safaricom plc and KCB bank Kenya

Earlier at the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Headquarters in Nairobi, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Hon. Najib Balala launched the Tusk Lion Trail in Nairobi.

The Cabinet Secretary was joined by the Principal Secretary for Tourism Professor Fred Segor, Director General, KWS Brigadier (Rtd.) John Waweru, Mr. Kris Senanu, Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Safaricom PLC, Mrs. Judith Sidi Odhiambo, Head of Corporate Affairs KCB Bank Kenya and Tusk representatives at the launch.

The trail is a global art installation in support of African lion conservation. 47 life-sized lion sculptures have been launched onto the streets in iconic locations worldwide including Nairobi, a number of UK cities (London, Edinburgh and Bristol), The Hamptons – New York, Sydney – Australia and Wellington – New Zealand. The artworks will be on display for the public to enjoy until the end of September 2021.

Speaking when he officiated the launch, Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Hon Najib Balala said reiterated the importance of lions to Kenya’s biodiversity and the need to make urgent efforts for their conservation.  

“The DNA of Kenya’s nationhood and lions are inextricably linked. They are in our coat of arms, our currency and appear in many Kenyan company logos. The lion is an iconic animal in the African culture and keystone species in wildlife conservation. I am therefore proud to launch the Tusk Lion Trail today. As a country we are also very proud to be part of this initiative and to have two Kenyan artists on the lineup is an honour. Lion protection is one of my ministry’s key conservation priorities. ​​They form a crucial part of our biodiversity and natural ecosystems and this event will help not only to raise awareness for their plight but also to shine the spotlight on the many more successes that we need to scale up to ensure their future sustainability. Mutual efforts and partnerships like the one we see here today – corporate, cultural and government – are critical to the protection of the lion populations that remain.”

The population of African lions is estimated to have declined by as much as 50% over the last 25 years. Each sculpture on the lion trail will highlight the magnificence of lions, threats to their existence and the people and solutions working for their survival – raising awareness for conservation efforts across the world. There is a real threat to the species’ survival from loss of habitat, persecution from human conflict and growing illegal trade in lion parts.

Tusk, an African conservation charity, has teamed up with Kenyan telecommunications giant Safaricom PLC and banking industry pioneer KCB Bank Kenya, to bring attention to the plight of lion conservation in Africa. 

“We are leading the charge though investing in environmental sustainability to ensure a future for nature”, KCB Head of Corporate Affairs Judith Sidi Odhiambo said.

“Our collective and active participation in the conservation of wildlife is critical for the survival of many endangered species and can serve as an important economic, social, and security engine for communities and individuals if we want to do achieve sustainable development,” Mrs. Odhiambo further shared.

“We salute all the artists involved in this noble initiative not only for their talents but for going above and beyond by choosing to use their gifts to raise awareness about the threats facing the African lion. Safaricom remains committed to working with partners like Tusk and KCB to continue supporting and highlighting both environmental and wildlife conservation projects” said Kris Senanu Safaricom’s Chief Enterprise Business Officer.

DHL is the global lead partner for the Tusk Lion Trail, which is co-sponsored by ISPS Handa.

Nairobi will be home to 2 life-sized lion sculptures which have been designed by renowned Kenyan artists Peterson Kamwathi and Beatrice Wanjiku. These will be stationed at the entrance of the Nairobi National Park for the month of August. The Nairobi National Park, a befitting location and key biodiversity resource- which itself is home to over 30 lions will play host to the sculptures for the next month with the aim of educating the public about the various threats facing the African lion. 

Speaking at the launch, KWS Director General Brigadier (Rtd.) John Waweru shared: “Lions are one of the flagship species of Kenya for conservation and tourism. Lions occur in a number of Kenya’s protected areas, with large populations in the Maasai Mara and the Tsavo ecosystem. In addition, there are important lion populations outside protected areas in Laikipia and Kajiado.”

Following the interactive sculpture exhibition, the unique works of art will be auctioned with the funds raised going to support the work of Tusk and its partners in protecting species.

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