LEWA CONSERVANCY, KENYA – The African Ranger Congress (ARC) 2025, held from September 17th to 21st at the iconic Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, was a landmark event for rangers across the continent. Under the theme “Improving Ranger Welfare and Standards,” the congress served as a powerful platform for unity, learning, and advocacy. The WIOMPAN Kenya Chapter was proudly represented by three of its distinguished marine rangers, who played significant roles in ensuring the voice of marine conservation was heard loud and clear.
Our delegates Mr. Willys Osore (Warden, Watamu Marine National Park), Corporal Beatrice Jerop** (Mombasa Marine National Park), and Corporal Mohamed Namuna (Diani-Chale Marine National Reserve)—actively contributed to sessions, shared valuable insights from the Kenyan coast, and built lasting connections with their terrestrial counterparts.
Warden Willys Osore Takes Center Stage in Key Panel Discussion
A major highlight was Warden Willys Osore’s participation as a key speaker on the critical panel, “Competent vs Trained Rangers: Rethinking Training, Skills and Standards for a Professional Ranger Force.”
Moderated by Batian Craig, the discussion delved into the essential difference between formal training and the practical competency required in the field. Mr. Osore eloquently articulated the unique challenges faced by marine rangers, emphasizing that effective protection of our blue ecosystems demands more than just standard training.
He stressed the need for continuous, specialized skill development in areas such as maritime law enforcement, advanced navigation, community engagement in coastal areas, and monitoring marine biodiversity in the face of climate change. His contributions were instrumental in advocating for tailored competency frameworks that recognize the distinct operational realities of rangers working in marine environments.
Marine Conservation in the Spotlight: Jerop and Namuna Present Kenyan Case Studies
Corporals Beatrice Jerop and Mohamed Namuna captivated the audience with a compelling joint presentation on marine conservation efforts along the Kenyan coast. They shared insightful case studies from the Mombasa and Diani-Chale Marine Protected Areas, highlighting:
- The critical role of marine rangers in safeguarding vital ecosystems like coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves.
- Successful community-based approaches to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
- The importance of collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and local communities to promote sustainable livelihoods and effective law enforcement.
Their presentation fostered valuable cross-learning, helping terrestrial rangers understand the parallels and unique aspects of marine protection, and strengthening the case for integrated conservation strategies across land and sea.
Immersive Experiences and Continental Networking
Beyond the conference rooms, our delegates fully immersed themselves in the ARC experience. They did not participate in the exhilarating 21km Wildlife Ranger Challenge but promised to bring a strong Marine Ranger Team in the next challenge, joined field trips to community conservancies, and attended the prestigious African Conservation Awards gala. These activities provided unparalleled opportunities for networking with rangers from over 12 African nations, sharing best practices, and building a stronger sense of continental camaraderie.
Looking Ahead
The active involvement of our Kenya Chapter members at ARC 2025 significantly elevated the profile of marine conservation within the African ranger community. The insights shared by Willys, Beatrice, and Mohamed will directly contribute to the evolving 3rd African Ranger Declaration, ensuring the needs of marine rangers are included as Africa’s collective voice is carried forward to the World Ranger Congress in Argentina in 2027.