National Defence College and Friends of Ondiri: An Eight-Year Conservation Partnership

By David Wakogy
Coordinator Friends of Ondiri Wetland Kenya
Jan 14, 2026

Today, we were honored to be hosted by Lieutenant General J. S. Mwinyikai, CBS, HSC (Commandant, National Defence College, Karen), as we continue to strengthen the long-standing partnership between the National Defence College, Karen and Friends of Ondiri Wetland Kenya, an impactful collaboration spanning eight years.

Through this transformative partnership, we have planted thousands of trees, established a thriving arboretum, and facilitated the donation of church benches to support community spaces. These collective efforts have helped turn Ondiri Wetland from a classic tragedy of the commons into one of the best-managed wetland ecosystems in the Republic of Kenya.

Ondiri Wetland is a critically important ecosystem, Kenya’s largest highland peat bog, covering approximately 34.5 hectares, and the headwaters of Nairobi and Athi Rivers. It recharges the Kikuyu springs, one of the oldest water sources for Nairobi, supports rich biodiversity, and is home to dozens of plant and bird species, including the endangered Grey Crowned Crane.

Thanks to this enduring partnership and the tireless work of Friends of Ondiri and allied institutions, Ondiri has increasingly become a model of community-driven conservation, climate action, and sustainable ecosystem management, demonstrating what can be achieved when institutions, communities, and civil society work hand-in-hand to protect Kenya’s natural heritage.