Pride Of Kenya

At a ceremony today, Minister for Wildlife and Forests, The Rt Hon. Dr Noah Wekesa, Director of the Kenya Wildlife Service, Dr Julius Kipng’etich and other dignitaries, officially ‘unleashed’ the Pride of Kenya lions before they paraded through the streets of Nairobi!

Conceived by the Born Free Foundation and Wild in Art, Pride of Kenya is a spectacular public art event, featuring fifty of the world’s most colourful and unique lions, aimed at bringing public attention to this increasingly threatened species and raising funds for lion conservation and protection.

“Kenya without wild lions would be a tragedy. If we can make room for animals like elephants and lions – species that require so much undisturbed space – we can also make room for thousands of other, smaller, but no less unique, creatures as well.  In order to do that, we must also make sure there is space for them in our hearts and that is exactly what Pride of Kenya encourages us to do.“ Minister Wekesa stated at the ceremony which was held at the main gate of Nairobi National Park.

The fifty lions will now be scattered through the City of Nairobi creating an exclusive City Safari – the first of its kind in East Africa.  The lions include:

Nation Media Group, one of the event sponsors, will be encouraging citizens to see if they can spot all 50 lions wherever they are ’on the prowl’ and to enter competitions with prizes. 

Kenya Data Networks (KDN), the leading network operator in East Africa, is supporting Pride of Kenya by developing and hosting the website (www.prideofkenya.co.ke) and has sponsored 2 lions. “We took up this initiative, not only to sensitize the community about the plight of lions in Kenya but also to draw attention to issues of conservation at large. This is a major problem that if not quickly resolved will lead to many Kenyans not only loosing their jobs in the short term but also destroying our beautiful country.” said Vincent Wang’ombe, Chief Marketing Officer of KDN. He further added that “There is an urgent need to sensitize the public and push for formulation of national guidelines on lion conservation and management in the long-term, and this is the passion that led us to participate in this project”.

Will Travers, CEO of the Born Free Foundation, an international wildlife charity, commented: “I have never seen anything quite like it! This event demonstrates to the world that Kenya is bursting with artistic talent and creative flair. These lions are the ambassadors for their species which sadly, in many parts of Africa, is now under threat.”

Dr Julius Kipng’etich, Director of KWS agreed, and went on to say: “There are only six countries in Africa with 2,000 or more wild lions. Kenya is one of those countries. They are one of the Big Five. They are what many international guests come to see and they are part of our natural heritage. KWS and Born Free, along with all our other partners, are dedicated to making sure that they stay wild and free as nature intended.”

The lions will be on display until the end of October, when they will be brought together for one last time as part of a gala auction to be held at the Headquarters of the Kenya Wildlife Service on 6th November. Virginia McKenna OBE, one of the original stars of the classic wildlife film Born Free will be coming to Kenya to attend this very special event, which also marks the 25th Anniversary of the Born Free Foundation, the wildlife charity she founded in 1984 with her late husband, the actor Bill Travers.

Funds raised by the auction and Pride of Kenya will be used to support lion conservation projects in Kenya as well as the other work of the Born Free Foundation.

Please keep checking back for our blog detailing the launch which was attended by 6-700 people and included a police escorted street parade!!