Mudavadi vows commitment to conservation as he receives four mountain bongos from Czech Republic

Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi, has described the repatriation of the critically endangered mountain bongos as a significant milestone in Kenya’s conservation journey.

Speaking at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) when he received the repatriated male bongos from the Czech Republic, Mudavadi said that Kenya is now confronted with both a challenge and a responsibility to protect the rare species.

“The story of the Mountain Bongo is, in many ways, a reflection of our broader environmental reality. Once thriving across our montane forests—from the Aberdares to Mount Kenya, Mau, and Eburu—this iconic species now faces the stark reality of near extinction,” said Mudavadi.

He said the government is firmly guided by national policies and legislative frameworks, particularly the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013, instruments, that provide a robust foundation for species protection, habitat restoration, and the management of biodiversity as a national heritage.

“Today’s milestone, anchored in science, collaboration, and long-term planning, demonstrates the effectiveness of policy when matched with action. The Mountain Bongo Recovery Programme aligns directly with Kenya’s national biodiversity strategies, our climate action commitments, and the global Sustainable Development Goals,” Mudavadi added.

The Prime CS said that the collaboration between the government, conservation institutions such as Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, and international partners exemplified the multi-sectoral approach that must continue to be embraced.

“Conservation today requires unity of purpose across borders, institutions, and communities. Let me emphasise that species recovery is not an isolated effort; it is a strategic national priority. It speaks to our environmental security, our tourism economy, and our intergenerational responsibility,” said Mudavadi.

The Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy said the four male bongos were transported to the conservancy in the early hours of the morning and are now settling in under close care.

The bongos arrived on a KLM cargo flight from the Czech Republic, where they had been under the care of Zoo Dvůr Králové.

MKWC patron Humphrey Kariuki said the conservancy now hosts 102 bongos, and that the additional males will help strengthen the gene pool.

The conservancy said the move is part of the National Recovery and Action Plan for the Mountain Bongo, with the goal of restoring the species to its natural habitat.