Sustainable Wildlife Tourism Management and Influence of Levels of Community Engagement: A Study of Wildlife Conservancies in Kajiado County, Kenya

Wildlife is a significant driver of tourism, and in conservancies, the relationship between community engagement and sustainable wildlife tourism management is crucial for balancing biodiversity conservation with the socioeconomic benefits of tourism. This study investigated how levels of community engagement (directive, consultative, and participative) influence sustainable wildlife tourism management in Kajiado County, Kenya, and to identify barriers to effective community involvement. Qualitative data were gathered through interviews with 1 representative each from county and national governments as well as the Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association. Quantitative data were collected via paper-based, closed-ended survey questionnaires administered to 29 conservancy managers and 29 community leaders. A purposive sampling technique was used to select all respondents. The qualitative data were analyzed thematically, while the quantitative data were subjected to descriptive and inferential analysis. This study was grounded on the Community-Based Natural Resource Management Theory and the Stakeholder Theory. The results revealed limited community involvement in decision-making regarding wildlife tourism management, with directive and consultative forms of engagement being more common than participative approaches. Directive and consultative engagement, which either exclude community input or limit it to advisory roles without decision-making power, were found to hinder meaningful community participation in sustainable wildlife tourism management. In contrast, participative engagement, where communities actively contribute to decisions, proved more effective in promoting biodiversity conservation, reducing human-wildlife conflicts, and enhancing the wellbeing of local communities. The study recommends enforcing legislation for community inclusion in wildlife tourism and conservation decisions by national and county governments, prioritizing local participation in tourism related decisions by wildlife conservancies in Kajiado, strengthening community engagement policies through advocacy by the Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association, and investing in capacity-building initiatives for effective community engagement.