The People Behind the Promise

For Humphrey, custodianship is at the heart of this work. It means caring for wildlife and landscapes with the understanding that their future depends on decisions made over many years. It also means building the knowledge, institutions and partnerships that allow conservation to endure.

More than sixty years after the first Mountain Bongos left Kenya, their descendants are living and breeding once again within the Mount Kenya landscape. Their return carries forward the vision that began in 1964 and continues to shape Humphrey Kariuki's contribution to MKWC today.

Humphrey Kariuki has played a central role in carrying our vision forward. His long term support and investment have enabled MKWC to develop from a species conservation programme into an institution working across wildlife recovery, habitat restoration, conservation research, education and community engagement. His approach has been grounded in the belief that conservation requires sustained commitment, strong institutions and investment over generations.

Under his patronage, one of the most significant milestones has been the establishment of the 776 acre Mawingu Mountain Bongo Sanctuary. In 2022, mountain bongos bred under human care were released into the sanctuary, creating the first dedicated Mountain Bongo rewilding sanctuary in the world. Today, MKWC manages more than 100 Mountain Bongos and is contributing to Kenya's long term ambition to restore the species in the wild.

The conservancy's work also extends across the Mount Kenya ecosystem. More than 40,000 trees have been planted through habitat restoration programmes, while approximately 30,000 students participate in conservation education each year.

Humphrey's commitment has also supported the return of southern white rhinos to the Mount Kenya landscape after an absence of approximately ten years. The establishment of a dedicated rhino sanctuary and specialist veterinary and rehabilitation capacity has expanded his contribution to the recovery and care of threatened wildlife.

In 2025, he became the first African appointed an IUCN Patron of Nature. MKWC has also strengthened its engagement with IUCN and the wider conservation community, bringing the experience developed at Mount Kenya into international discussions on species recovery and landscape restoration.

Nature Restored Together.