The incident happened on Tuesday, December 9, during a ceremony that had drawn senior government officials, conservation experts, and local leaders.
The president had travelled to the sanctuary with Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Director General Erustus Kanga, National Security Advisor Monica Juma, and a team of wildlife officers.
The president had travelled to the sanctuary with Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Director General Erustus Kanga, National Security Advisor Monica Juma, and a team of wildlife officers.
The group was on site to witness the symbolic release of a rhino into the wild — an event that several media outlets later highlighted, echoing early details similar to what our platform had previously reported regarding preparations for the launch.
Ruto and the delegation arrived at the release point in a tour van and later climbed onto the back of a parked truck for a better view.
Ruto and the delegation arrived at the release point in a tour van and later climbed onto the back of a parked truck for a better view.
A short distance away, rangers prepared to let the rhino out of its transport container.
As the officers opened the steel door, the massive animal stepped out calmly, but within seconds, it swung toward the president’s direction and made a sudden short charge.
As the officers opened the steel door, the massive animal stepped out calmly, but within seconds, it swung toward the president’s direction and made a sudden short charge.
The unexpected movement caused startled reactions from those standing on the truck, with some instinctively shifting backwards.
Fortunately, the rhino quickly changed direction and sprinted toward the opposite side of the clearing. What could have been a frightening moment quickly turned into a humorous one, drawing laughter from officials and security personnel watching the scene.
Playfully reacting to the incident, President Ruto joked, “It wants chaos?” sending the crowd into another wave of laughter.
An official standing close to the president then teased him, saying, “Mr. President, were you a little concerned? I saw you back up; you were moving.”
The light-hearted exchange eased the tension and set the tone for the rest of the event.
After the animal settled into the open sanctuary, President Ruto proceeded with the main address, where he emphasized that wildlife conservation is not just an environmental duty but also an important contributor to Kenya’s economy.
Ruto noted that the sanctuary expansion project is expected to create over 18,000 jobs and generate more than $45 million (KSh 5.8 billion) in tourism and conservation-related income by 2030. He described the effort as a major investment that supports both Kenya’s natural heritage and the country’s future economic goals.
“Our government is clear that natural capital is economic capital,” he said.
Fortunately, the rhino quickly changed direction and sprinted toward the opposite side of the clearing. What could have been a frightening moment quickly turned into a humorous one, drawing laughter from officials and security personnel watching the scene.
Playfully reacting to the incident, President Ruto joked, “It wants chaos?” sending the crowd into another wave of laughter.
An official standing close to the president then teased him, saying, “Mr. President, were you a little concerned? I saw you back up; you were moving.”
The light-hearted exchange eased the tension and set the tone for the rest of the event.
After the animal settled into the open sanctuary, President Ruto proceeded with the main address, where he emphasized that wildlife conservation is not just an environmental duty but also an important contributor to Kenya’s economy.
Ruto noted that the sanctuary expansion project is expected to create over 18,000 jobs and generate more than $45 million (KSh 5.8 billion) in tourism and conservation-related income by 2030. He described the effort as a major investment that supports both Kenya’s natural heritage and the country’s future economic goals.
“Our government is clear that natural capital is economic capital,” he said.
“The Tsavo West Rhino Sanctuary is part of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, the National Wildlife Strategy 2030, and the Black Rhino Recovery and Action Plan.”
The Tsavo West Rhino Sanctuary has grown tremendously over the past 40 years. From starting with only three rhinos on a small three-square-kilometer fenced area, the sanctuary now covers 3,200 square kilometers, making it the largest rhino sanctuary in the world.
The Tsavo West Rhino Sanctuary has grown tremendously over the past 40 years. From starting with only three rhinos on a small three-square-kilometer fenced area, the sanctuary now covers 3,200 square kilometers, making it the largest rhino sanctuary in the world.
Today, it is home to more than 200 rhinos, offering one of the safest habitats for the endangered species.
Ruto highlighted that the sanctuary’s expansion is helping uplift local communities by generating employment in areas such as wildlife monitoring, fencing, ranger deployment, road construction, logistics, and surveillance.
“Conservation must also work for the people,” he said.
Ruto highlighted that the sanctuary’s expansion is helping uplift local communities by generating employment in areas such as wildlife monitoring, fencing, ranger deployment, road construction, logistics, and surveillance.
“Conservation must also work for the people,” he said.
“This sanctuary is creating jobs and supporting small businesses connected to the wildlife economy.”
He added that the project is boosting local supply chains, community tourism enterprises, and transport services — strengthening the region’s economy while positioning Kenya as a global leader in wildlife protection.
According to the president, the government is committed to redefining conservation not as a financial burden but as a high-value investment that benefits both the public and the environment.
“We are reshaping conservation into a national investment class,” he said.
He added that the project is boosting local supply chains, community tourism enterprises, and transport services — strengthening the region’s economy while positioning Kenya as a global leader in wildlife protection.
According to the president, the government is committed to redefining conservation not as a financial burden but as a high-value investment that benefits both the public and the environment.
“We are reshaping conservation into a national investment class,” he said.
