Background
Background
The Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund (WCTF) is a Government of Kenya financing mechanism established under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013 (Cap. 376) for purposes of mobilising and providing financial resources for the conservation and management of wildlife and biodiversity. The Fund is intended to facilitate sustainable and diversified financing for conservation in accordance with the applicable legal and regulatory framework.
WCTF provides a mechanism through which public resources and other lawful sources of financing may be mobilised and applied towards approved conservation purposes. In discharging its mandate, the Fund may engage with government institutions, communities, development partners, the private sector and other stakeholders in accordance with the law.
Since its establishment, WCTF has undergone progressive institutional development, including the establishment of its governance structures, provision of Government seed capital and development of a specific regulatory framework to guide the administration and management of the Fund.
Our Journey
The operationalization of WCTF has been marked by significant legal, financial, governance and regulatory milestones.
Legal Establishment
Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013 (Cap. 376): Section 23 establishes the legal foundation for the Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund (WCTF) within Kenya’s wildlife conservation framework. It also provides for the constitution of its Governing Board, while prescribing the Fund’s governance arrangements, sources of finance and authorised areas of expenditure.
Government Seed Capital
The Government provided seed capital for the establishment and operationalisation of the Fund. This constituted an important step towards giving effect to the statutory framework and establishing the Fund’s financial base.
Governance Framework
The constitution and gazettement of the WCTF Board strengthened the institutional governance of the Fund and provided the requisite oversight and strategic direction for the discharge of its mandate.
Regulatory Framework
The Public Finance Management Act, 2012 (PFMA) provides the public-finance legal framework under which WCTF is administered, regulated, accounted for and supervised. The PFM (WCTF) Regulations, 2025 established a more detailed regulatory framework for the administration, management and utilisation of the Fund and its resources, subject to the provisions of the applicable laws.
Sustainable Conservation Financing
WCTF continues to operationalise its statutory mandate by pursuing sustainable and diversified sources of conservation financing. The Fund is strengthening institutional and strategic partnerships and supporting the mobilisation and allocation of resources towards eligible and priority wildlife conservation and biodiversity interventions, in accordance with the law.
Strategic Direction
WCTF is committed to strengthening sustainable and diversified financing for wildlife conservation and biodiversity management in Kenya. The Fund will continue to mobilise resources, develop lawful and strategic partnerships and support eligible conservation interventions in accordance with its statutory mandate, applicable regulations and decisions of the governing board.
Through effective stewardship of resources and sound governance, WCTF seeks to enhance the sustainability of conservation financing and contribute to the protection, conservation and management of Kenya’s wildlife and biodiversity.