They discussed on how the Government under the leadership of H.E Governor Bishop Kawira Mwangaza will improve tourism and conservation in the County. He thank Lewa wildlife Conservancy and all other partners who have joined them towards achievements of this objective.

Mountain Bongo and Rhino were historically found in Mt. Kenya but have since become extinct which has drastically affected tourism in Meru.

The County Government of Meru is employing a Public Private People Partnership (PPPP) in supporting the implementation of the Kenya National Bongo Recovery and Action plan (2019 – 2023). The national action plan mainly seeks to increase the Mountain Bongo in the wild from the current 100 to 750.

Mountain Bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci) is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red list of threatened species and whose habitat is mainly is domiciled in Aberdares , Mt. Kenya Forest and Mau Forest Ecosystems.

The County Government is partnering with Kenya Forest Service that is providing forest as habitat for Bongo and sanctuary that will act as a breeding ground for the Mountain Bongo on part of Mt. Kenya Forest Ecosystem (Mucheene and Marania Forest Reserves).

County Government of Meru wishes to register its gratitute to the Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, Meru Bongo and Black Rhino Conservation Trust, NTIMAKA and KAMULU Community Forest Associations, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy & Rare Species Conservatory Foundation for the immense support to the process of realization of the establishment of the bongo breeding sanctuary as part of the implementation of the national plan of ensuring sustainable conservation of the critically endangered species which is the phase one of the program and the phase two will be to reintroduce black Rhino in forest.
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The Meru Bongo and Rhino Conservation Trust, will be entrusted in the implementation of the project guided by all the partners. This week, MBRCT made a presentation of the upcoming Mountain Bongo conservation project to an international audience in the just concluded Africa Protected Areas Congres (APAC2022) that was held in Kigali Rwanda from 18th to 23rd July 2022.

The county Government has held a cycling event at Kenya Forestly Service Meru offices, where governor Kiraitu had initiated one the largest arboretum in the Country after partnership with the KFS , that was being launched today.

The cycling event was graced by the County Secretary, Dr. Rufus Miriti , organized in partnership with an organization dealing with mental health called ” Iko Okay”, highlighted the importance of the arboretum that will play a key role in Marketing the site as tourism ground , recleational as well as spiritual meditation site.

The arboretum will have a coffee house to promote local coffee, a place for Miraa tourism promotion, art and craft site for creation of employment through creating handicraft to create surveniours for tourists.

Dr. Benjamin Kinyiri , from KFS said the service had set apart 23. 3 hectares for the Meru people to ensure the county sets the recreational site, as well as for the use by the community.

Also present was CECM Environment Prof. Karwitha Kiugu and chief officer Tourism Titus Mithika.