Wildlife clubs Kenya – Kitui Regional Office was opened in 1997.The Eastern Regional Office specifically focus on Arid and Semi-Arid Land (ASAL) Biodiversity. The office co-ordinates various Environmental Education activities for the Eastern region which covers Kitui, Machakos, Makueni and Mwingi districts. The eastern regional office aims to increase public awareness on the conservation and importance of ASAL biodiversity of the region and to disseminate information, knowledge and skills on activities which people would undertake at the local level to alleviate pressure on available resources. WCK eventually hope to strengthen the operations and activities of the Kitui office through the establishment of a fully fledged ASAL Environmental Education Centre.
The region covers three counties in Ukambani, Namely; Kitui, Machakos and Makueni. The office therefore was established to address ASAL biodiversity conservation with the aim of achieving the following objectives:-
(a) To increase public awareness of the conservation and importance of the ASAL biodiversity.
(b) To educate the people living in these areas through the youth that despite the low biodiversity in the ASAL areas their cultural, environmental, aesthetic and economic values are important.
(c) To disseminate information, knowledge and skills of activities which people could undertake at local level to alleviate pressure on the already scarce resources in these areas.
In order to achieve the objectives WCK, the office has developed three key appropriate conservation education approaches. These are:-
(i) Outreach programme.
(ii) Awareness forums
(iii) Networking
This is a unique programme which involves visiting schools on termly bases to enhance conservation knowledge through lectures, film shows and dissemination of informative environmental materials.
These forums are conducted on monthly bases to create awareness on the importance of ASAL biodiversity and conservation measures. Theme of the events depends on the national theme of the year. They include:-
Environmental Rallies
Ecological walks to degraded areas, hills, forests for observation and restoration purpose.
Clean ups to show the importance of clean and healthy environment.
Anti – poaching campaigns to discourage poaching activities within the area.
Inter – club meetings for the exchange of ideas and discussions.
Tree planting programmes for restoration of degraded areas and greening.
Environmental issues affect all sectors. The office works with other stakeholders to disseminate conservation information, capacity building, advocacy and exchange of ideas through seminars and workshops.