By Wahome Ngatia
In the relentless pursuit of a future where humanity and nature can thrive, leadership transitions often serve as crucial inflection points. For the World Wide Fund for Nature-Kenya (WWF-Kenya), that moment arrived with the appointment of Jackson Kiplagat as the new Chief Executive Officer, effective January 2026. Kiplagat takes the reins from Mohamed Awer, an institutional giant who steps down after nine years as CEO and a remarkable three decades dedicated to Kenya’s conservation sector.
The transition marks a new chapter for an organisation whose history is intertwined with Kenya’s ecological destiny. Established in 1961, WWF-Kenya commenced operations in 1962, focusing initially on iconic species like the African elephant and the black rhino. Today, as an autonomous National Office within the vast WWF network, headquartered globally in Gland, Switzerland, its scope is dramatically wider, covering everything from integrated water resource management to climate action and governance.
Kiplagat, previously the Head of Conservation Programmes, brings deep technical knowledge and a track record of strategic delivery. His expertise lies in translating large-scale strategy into tangible, on-the-ground impact—a prerequisite for steering a body that operates across Kenya’s critical landscapes: the Coast, the Rift Lakes, and the Northern and Southern ecosystems.
The task ahead is immense, set against the backdrop of a growing national crisis. Kenya is celebrated as one of the world’s ten mega-biodiverse nations, where nearly 42% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is still derived from natural capital assets, particularly through tourism and agriculture. Yet, the nation remains highly vulnerable to climate change, a reality that necessitates aggressive conservation intervention.
WWF-Kenya’s recent annual report underscores the impact of its multifaceted approach. In a compelling testament to coordinated action, the black rhino population in Kenya saw a 5.5% increase in the last fiscal year, pushing the total past 1,000 and surpassing national targets. The organisation also reported the restoration of over 183,980 hectares of degraded landscapes since 2020 and facilitated communities to generate a cumulative income of Ksh 2.27 billion through sustainable, nature-based enterprises.
“We will carry on your legacy. We will keep your friends and even grow your friendships. We will ensure that we deliver the vision that you have set out for us in the 10-year vision till 2030,” Kiplagat affirmed at the launch of the annual report, acknowledging Awer’s leadership while committing to the future.
This vision aligns with the country’s renewed commitment to tackling the climate crisis, including a pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 32% by 2030. By abating more than 60,000 tonnes of carbon through supporting the adoption of clean energy technologies, WWF-Kenya positions itself as a critical partner in achieving these national goals.
The baton has been passed from one dedicated conservation leader to another. For Kiplagat, the challenge is clear: to leverage these gains, scale up impact, and ensure that one of Africa’s most important economies, tethered to its environment, remains resilient in the face of escalating global threats. It’s a job requiring not just expertise, but a sustained, human commitment to the wild heart of Kenya.
This video explores The History of the World Wildlife Fund, providing relevant context to the organization Kiplagat will now lead.
