Kenya
Doubling up - education & conservation
Partnership in Mbulia & Voi
A trip to this largely neglected corner of Kenya with a longtime family friend inspired the KAI Foundation to take action. We are working hand in hand with our local partners to provide a brighter and safer future for all residents in this region, human & wildlife.
Location
Mbulia Conservancy, Kenya (adjacent to Tsavo NP)
Established
November 10, 2024
How It Came To Be
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The Kartageners have had a decades-long connection to Kenya and have contributed to different causes & initiatives over the years. However, when Dave was traveling through Kenya in November 2024, he spent time in the Mbulia Conservancy with a long-time family friend it was clear that the KAI Foundation could focus on this one region and accomplish so much more.
There are so many worthy causes and our local partners in Kenya are champions of many, so our commitment in Kenya is two-fold - we are supporting a major conservation initiative, while also staying true to the Foundation’s focus and supporting education.
The Mbulia Conservancy covers more than 35,000 acres and is surrounded entirely by Tsavo West National Park. The protection of this land and its wildlife inhabitants is the responsibility of a small by mighty unit of rangers.
These rangers and their families reside in the villages & communities surrounding Mbulia & Tsavo, the largest ‘city’ in this area is called Voi. -
The area outside of Mbulia Conservancy and Tsavo NP is very poor, as such poaching is a major concern in the area. The rangers of the privately funded Mbulia conservancy are the guardians of this land and they were in need of new uniforms and updated equipment. The KAI Foundation committed to the funding of their efforts, in a sense sponsoring this impressive and incredibly important unit. In March 2025 these rangers were furnished with brand new kit and they sport it proud!
In keeping with the Foundations focus on education we also wanted to identify a deserving student to sponsor for their education. Through our local partners in Kenya we were introduced to an incredible young man named Johnson. Johnson is a gentle soul, living in a one-room mud hut with his grandmother and sister. His mother lives many miles away, working to earn just enough money to get by. Johnson has never met his father. The KAI Foundation has committed to pay for Johnson’s final three years of secondary school - school fees, books, uniforms, etc.
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The ranger team is on constant patrol against poaching - their rounds have led to several arrests and the clearing of thousands of snares. Thanks to the contribution and commitment of the KAI Foundation, this unit will continue to grow and the wildlife shall remain protected.
As far as Johnson and his family go, they now have one less thing to worry about for the next few years, and hopefully they can build a better future for the entire family. This is proving to be a great investment in the future, as Johnson had the highest marks of anyone in his class in the first term of 2025!
Our commitment to Johnson’s education and the Mbulia rangers will be ongoing, and we will look to sponsor additional students in the coming years.
The rangers clear approximately 2,000 snares each year
Wearing the KAI Foundation badge proudly
Johnson is top of his class
The new class of fully trained rangers
Nairesiae in her school photo
Where We’re At
Mbulia Conservancy
The KAI Foundation has contributed more than $5,000 to the ranger team in Mbulia Conservancy. The team of 14 proudly wears their KAI Foundation ‘branded’ uniforms and has all of the equipment and gear to limit the number of animals being poached in the area.
Their efforts have been successful, making several arrests and clearing an average of 160 snares from the bush each month.
Education
The KAI Foundation is sponsoring the education of a bright boy (Johnson) & young lady (Nairesiae) who comes from the community outside of the conservancy. Both children come from tough backgrounds and attending schoool would not be possible without our support. We are proud to cover all costs for Johnson & Nairesiae to finish their secondary education.
