John Kamanga, a Kenyan conservationist was on Thursday crowned the winner of Tusk Award by the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William.
Kamanga battled it out with Uganda’s George Owoyesigire and Zambia’s Ian Stevenson and emerged the winner over his role Africa’s conservation.
The Tusk Award comes with a cash reward of Ksh8.3 million to support his efforts in the conservation of wildlife in Kenya.
Prince William while making the announcement said “Thank you to all the three for the hard work that you do. All three of you will receive recognition for all you have done. However, there is only one winner.”
He added that the role they play in conservation of Africa’s wildlife cannot be ignored urging them to continue with their effort.
Prince William said that he hoped their story is told far and wide in order to inspire generations to come.
Kamanga, the founder of South Rift Association of Land Owners (SORALO) said he is happy that his efforts are being appreciated far and beyond Kenya.
“I am grateful that I have come this far. We have people out in the world who are watching and the little things that we do, come to be appreciated and that the effort that we are making, saves our wildlife and world space,” Kamanga stated.
SORALO represents 16 Maasai communities in the country in conservation efforts
Kamanga later told the Star that he holds a different set of belief which is far from arming rangers to protect wildlife adding that his resolve is that guns should never separate people from protecting wild animals.
Tusk Award was launched by Prince William in 2013 as a platform to highlight and celebrate conservationists from Africa.
