Steve Itela is a distinguished conservationist and policy advocate with over two decades of experience in wildlife conservation, policy engagement, and environmental governance. He was part of the team that developed Kenya’s National Wildlife Strategy 2030 and has led advocacy efforts that protected wildlife areas from competing land uses in the past decade.

Currently, Steve serves as the CEO of the Conservation Alliance of Kenya (CAK), a coalition of over 70 registered entities working in environmental conservation. Under his leadership, CAK has influenced conservation policy, strengthened stakeholder collaboration, and driven legislative reforms that balance wildlife protection with national infrastructure development.

Steve has been a key voice in international environmental policy, actively engaging in multilateral agreements such as the UNFCCC, CBD, and CITES. His efforts have influenced legislative reviews, including amendments to the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, which strengthened protections for endangered species. He has also mentored young conservation leaders, equipping them to impact policy and environmental governance.

His contributions include leading judicial dialogues that enhanced legal frameworks to curb poaching, spearheading government-community conservation discussions, and promoting biodiversity protection as a key pillar of Kenya’s economic growth.

As a member of the IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Committee (ESARO), Steve continues to champion sustainable conservation strategies that integrate climate resilience, economic development, and community engagement.

For more information, visit: Conservation Alliance of Kenya.