A cabinet meeting chaired by President William Ruto on November 11, 2025. /PCSThe Cabinet has approved the implementation of the Nairobi National Park Athi-Kapiti Wildlife Corridor, a move aimed at securing critical migratory routes and dispersal areas vital for the survival of Kenya’s wildlife.
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.
“To further the nation’s environmental and conservation priorities, the Cabinet approved the implementation of the Nairobi National Park Athi-Kapiti Wildlife Corridor,” a dispatch from State House said.
“The project will reconnect the park to surrounding conservancies in Machakos and Kajiado counties, restoring vital migratory pathways for species such as zebra, wildebeest, and gazelles.”
The corridor’s implementation will involve land acquisition, installation of wildlife-friendly fencing and the construction of overpasses and underpasses to enable safe animal crossings.
Compensation for affected landowners and stakeholders will be guided by a Comprehensive Framework for Infrastructure Projects Pricing, also approved by the Cabinet at the Tuesday meeting.
The framework is intended to curb inflated project costs, enhance transparency and improve value for money in public investments.
“The framework seeks to eliminate the irregular, inconsistent and costly practices that have characterised the pricing of government infrastructure projects,” the Cabinet dispatch said.
The reform, which will be overseen by the Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service, Felix Koskei, through a Multi-Agency Technical Working Team, aims to establish a data-driven system for determining infrastructure costs.
This will ensure accountability and prudent use of public resources, with potential reductions in cost overruns by up to 25 per cent.
The three-year project, set to commence in the 2026-27 financial year, will leverage partnerships with conservation agencies and innovative financing tools such as nature bonds and debt-for-nature swaps.
Portions of public land, including sections of the Export Processing Zone, will be surrendered to the Kenya Wildlife Service to support conservation efforts.
The Nairobi National Park Athi-Kapiti Wildlife Corridor is a critical conservation initiative anchored on a presidential directive to protect Kenya’s wildlife heritage.
Nairobi National Park, the country’s only wildlife park within a capital city, has faced escalating pressures from urban expansion and human activity, which have fragmented habitats and increased human-wildlife conflict.
The corridor will restore connectivity to adjoining conservation areas, allowing free movement of migratory species and safeguarding Kenya’s ecological integrity.
The Cabinet noted that the initiative aligns with the Wildlife Corridors and Dispersal Areas Report of 2016, Kenya Vision 2030, and the country’s broader commitments to sustainable biodiversity conservation.
By securing migratory routes and ensuring safe animal crossings, the corridor is expected to reduce wildlife fatalities, enhance ecosystem resilience, and contribute to long-term conservation planning.
