I&M Foundation has committed an additional KES 2 million to support fence management and ranger welfare at Ngong Sanctuary Forest in Nairobi, as part of its Project Imarisha initiative, the foundation said in a press release dated April 2, 2026.

According to the statement, the funding will facilitate the purchase of 14 scout uniforms and provide one year of salary support for the sanctuary’s rangers, a move the foundation said will strengthen protection of the forest and its biodiversity.

The announcement was made during a handover ceremony held under Project Imarisha, an I&M Foundation programme focused on environmental sustainability, education and community upliftment. The Ngong Sanctuary Forest initiative is among a growing number of private-sector backed conservation projects in Kenya that blend ecological restoration with community-based stewardship models.

In the release, Dipna Shah, Sustainability Lead at I&M Foundation, said the support is intended to ensure continuity as the project reaches a final handover milestone.

“As we reach this final handover milestone, our focus is on ensuring sufficient, sustained support to help this forest transition successfully into its next chapter. While infrastructure and fences are important, the true heartbeat of this forest is its people. By providing uniforms and salary support, we are ensuring that these scouts can perform their duties with dignity and security, laying a strong foundation for the long-term stewardship of this sanctuary,” Shah said.

The foundation said Project Imarisha has, to date, supported the installation of 14.2 kilometres of fencing at the sanctuary, including five kilometres of electrified perimeter fencing, as well as the development of 35 kilometres of nature trails. It also cited support for construction of rangers’ housing and an ablution block.

“Through Project Imarisha, we are committed to safeguarding Kenya’s natural heritage while empowering the communities that protect it. Our support to Ngong Sanctuary Forest reflects our belief that conservation and community well-being go hand in hand,” Shah added.

The statement said the 14 scouts are largely drawn from surrounding communities and serve as frontline personnel responsible for biodiversity protection and visitor safety. The latest support, it added, is designed to help the sanctuary shift from a restoration phase to a long-term maintenance and stewardship phase.

For Kenya’s business landscape, the project underscores how financial institutions and corporate foundations are increasingly deploying social investment programmes into conservation-linked infrastructure and jobs—an area with potential spillovers into domestic tourism, local enterprise activity around forest-based recreation, and climate resilience outcomes. Ngong Sanctuary Forest sits within the Nairobi metropolitan area, where demand for accessible green spaces has risen alongside urbanisation.

Looking ahead, I&M Foundation said Project Imarisha is concluding its primary infrastructure phase, with the sanctuary expected to focus on ongoing maintenance, conservation, environmental education and nature-based recreation. The foundation did not provide additional timelines or budget details beyond the KES 2 million contribution.

In the release, I&M Foundation said it is funded through an annual endowment from I&M Bank Kenya equivalent to 2% of the bank’s profit before tax, and it delivers social investment programmes across four thematic areas.

Tusk and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy on March 24, 2026 launched the 26th edition of the Lewa Safari Marathon in Nairobi, opening entries for the June 27 race at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and setting a fundraising target of more than KSh15 million, according to organisers.

In a statement issued at the launch, the organisers said proceeds will be directed to wildlife protection as well as community needs such as health and schools. International entries are already open, with entries for Kenya and East Africa scheduled to open on March 27.

The Lewa Safari Marathon has raised KSh1.3 billion since its first edition in 2000, according to the organisers. They said funds have supported conservation initiatives linked to improved outcomes for species including Hawksbill turtles, Grevy’s zebras, rhinos and mountain bongos, and have also financed community programmes including more than 40,000 clinic visits and multiple school initiatives. The statement did not provide a breakdown of the KSh1.3 billion by year or beneficiary.

Mike Watson, CEO of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, said the event’s contributions extend across conservation and livelihoods. “Every step taken at the Lewa Safari Marathon powers real, measurable conservation impact. Through the commitment of every runner and supporter, we are securing critical habitats, protecting endangered species, and building resilient communities with sustainable livelihoods,” Watson said, adding that sponsors remain central to delivering the programme.

Chantal Migongo-Bake, Tusk’s Chief Conservation Officer, said the marathon is designed to mobilise international and local support for conservation and community programmes. “The Lewa Safari Marathon is more than just a race, it’s a running challenge with purpose… This incredible event continues to raise vital funds that innovate conservation efforts, protect critical landscapes and threatened species, and uplift livelihoods,” she said.

Safaricom, the event’s main sponsor since inception, said it will provide KSh10 million in support for the 2026 edition. Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom, said: “As part of our continued commitment, we will this year support the event to the tune of KES 10 million… we are equally proud to enable conservation through connectivity, ensuring that Lewa remains digitally empowered to protect wildlife more effectively.”

Huawei Kenya said it will also continue its sponsorship, which the organisers said has run for more than a decade. Gao Fei, CEO of Huawei Kenya, said: “Huawei is delighted to have been a long-standing supporter of the Lewa Safari Marathon.”

Beyond Safaricom and Huawei, the organisers listed additional 2026 partners as National Bank of Kenya, ICEA Lion, Tropical Heat, Safarilink, AMREF, Elewana and Land and Life. They said partner contributions provide core financial support used for conservation and community initiatives.

The race has full marathon, half marathon, 10K and a children’s race. Organisers said more than 25,000 runners from over 40 countries have participated over the years, including Kenyan athletes Eliud Kipchoge, Paul Tergat and Catherine Ndereba. They also cited Runner’s World recognition of the race among top amateur events globally.

For Kenya’s business landscape, the marathon illustrates a recurring model of corporate-backed conservation financing, linking brand partnerships to measurable funding for protected areas and adjacent communities. With the tourism value chain closely tied to wildlife assets, such events can influence conservation budgets, local enterprise activity and destination visibility in the wider Mount Kenya–Laikipia ecosystem.

Organisers said the 2026 race will be held at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with proceeds supporting a range of Kenyan conservation organisations including Borana Conservancy, Grevy’s Zebra Trust, Lamu Marine Conservation Trust and Tsavo Trust, among others. The next milestone is the opening of Kenya and East Africa entries on March 27 ahead of the June 27 event.