David Mwendwa Kimaili

1 Introduction The rise in poaching in sub-Saharan Africa during the 1980s-1990s led to many conservation authorities adopting more stringent security measures to protect wildlife populations (Annecke and Masubelele 2016; Day et al. 2023; Massé and Lunstrum 2016), resulting in an approach often termed “militarized conservation” or “green militarization” (Duffy et al., 2019).

Introduction Since Kenya’s independence in 1963, youth development has undergone significant transformations. Initial policies focused on education and vocational training, aiming to equip young Kenyans with the skills needed to contribute to the burgeoning nation. However, challenges like unemployment, poverty, and political marginalization are persisting, hence demanding a more comprehensive approach.