Welcome back to Boots on the Ground, the podcast where we spotlight the voices shaping the future of conservation from the frontlines.

Today’s episode features an extraordinary leader whose work is redefining what conservation looks like across Africa.

At just 33, Peter Fredrick Moll — also known by his Maa name Saitoti, meaning “the one who takes care of others” — is helping lead a powerful shift toward a more inclusive, community-driven model of conservation.

For over a decade, Peter has worked at the intersection of wildlife protection, youth leadership, and community empowerment, championing a simple but transformative idea: that conservation succeeds best when the people closest to the land are at the center of its stewardship.

He is the founder of Stand Up Shout Out — a movement he started at just 20 years old — which has grown into a continent-wide platform mobilizing thousands of young changemakers across Kenya and more than 20 African countries.

But beyond the titles and achievements, Peter is building something deeper — a generation of leaders rooted in purpose, dignity, and action.

In this conversation, Dibblex sits down with Peter to explore what it really means to lead from the ground up, the future of African conservation, and how empowering communities is the key to protecting our planet.

This is Boots on the Ground — and this is a story of people, purpose, and the power of local leadership. EnjoyEnjoy💚

From the heart of the Maasai Mara, where the wild still writes its own stories, comes a voice shaped by survival, tradition, and the spirit of the land.

Meet Saito Mike — born Mike Saitoti ole Morijoi — a boy who once wandered lost in the wilderness for five days… and lived to tell a story protected by a lioness. Raised herding cattle across the open savannah, his journey grew into something extraordinary.

Today, he is not only the author of “Boy and the Lion”, but also a seasoned safari guide who has walked the landscapes of the Mara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and beyond — sharing untold stories through guided walks, bird calls, and the stars above.

This is not just conservation. This is lived experience. This is storytelling from the ground itself. Enjoy💚🎙️

In this episode of the Boots on the Ground podcast, Mercy Onyango shares her journey from her upbringing in Kenya to her current role as a sustainability manager at Soroi Collection. She discusses the evolution of wildlife tourism, the importance of responsible practices, and the critical role of community engagement in conservation efforts. Mercy emphasizes the need for ethical tourism, the challenges faced in the industry, and the empowerment of women in conservation. She also addresses the impact of climate change on safari tourism and the necessity of integrating conservation into tourism policies for a sustainable future.

This is part 2 of episode 3 of our new series, In the quest to protect Africa’s Wildlife and Wild places. Listen in as Kenneth Kimitei, Senior Ecologist, Tsavo-Mkomazi landscape, takes a though the Wildlife census, threats facing Wildlife in the larger Tsavo, and Interventions AWF is putting in place to mitigate the negative effects. Enjoy💚

This is part 1 of our third episode on our new series, In the quest to protect Africa’s wildlife and wild places. I talk with Kenneth Kimitei, Senior Landscape Ecologist in the Tsavo-Mkomazi Landscape. We dive into how he got started in conservation and what his work entails. We also talk through the Nationwide Wildlife census and the methodologies used in conducting the census in the larger Tsavo ecosystem. Enjoy💚

In this Second episode of our new series, In the quest to protect Africa’s Wildlife and Wild places, I’m talking with Dontillah Sarru, a Wildlife ranger now working as a corporal at Lumo Community Wildlife Sanctuary. We talk through her first encounters with wildlife and her recollection of her training in Amboseli. We also dig into her routine, effects of Covid-19 on conservation and why the giraffe is her favorite animal. Enjoy💚

In this first episode of our new series dubbed in the quest to protect Africa’s wildlife and wild places, I’m talking with Didi Wamukoya, the Director, Counter Wildlife Trafficking Program at African Wildlife Foundation. We dive into how she got started in her conservation career, and we also talk through the strategies for counter wildlife trafficking, how to address emerging crimes like Wildlife cyber crimes and challenges experienced in enforcing wildlife laws in Kenya and across the region. Enjoy💚

In this new episode, we get to hear from the legendary Ami Vitale. We talk through how she got started in her colorful career, recollections from the last moments filming the last male northern white rhino, Sudan, and why it is key to build trust and relationships as a storyteller. We also dig into her latest film SHABA plus a lot more. Enjoy and be inspired 💚

In this new episode, I talk with Sam Thuku, a filmmaker, environmentalist and conservationist. We talk about his journey into the filmmaking industry, his passion for conservation and he also walks us through the challenges he has faced in his career and how he has managed to overcome them plus the editing tools he uses in post production and a lot more. Be inspired💚

In this new episode I’m talking with Nevil Agesa, Project Coordinator, Diani Turtle Watch. We talk through his journey and how he got started in conservation, the different species of turtles found along the Kenyan coast, their habitats and life cycle. We also dive into the threats facing these reptiles and what Nevil, his team and the various partners are doing to ensure that turtles survive and thrive. Be inspired💚

In this episode, I talk with Liberatha Kawamala, founder, Libe Green Innovations. We talk through how she started her journey in environmental conservation, how Libe Green Innovation came to be and the challenges she experienced at first. We also dive into interventions she and her team are putting in place to bring in various stakeholders on deck and we also highlight the importance of youth and local community involvement in her projects and programs. Be inspired💚

In this episode I’m talking with Emmanuel Niyoyabikoze, founder and CEO Greening Burundi. We dive into his work with Greening Burundi, their programs and projects on the ground and we also talk through threats facing environmental conservation in Burundi plus why we need young people on board to effectively see the change we want. Enjoy💚

In this episode, I talk with Aishwarya, a self taught wildlife filmmaker and photographer with a background in Mass media. We dive into her world of wildlife storytelling and talk about her current film ‘Tiger Queen Of Taru’. We also talk through gaming, VR, and other technologies that are shaping up our relationship with nature. Listen to the end to find out why the Elephant 🐘 is her favorite animal. Enjoy💚

Today, we’re joined by Kasaine Sankan, a seasoned carnivore researcher with over a decade of experience studying lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, and hyenas in the greater Mara ecosystem. From starting out as a research assistant on the Mara Hyena Project to playing a key role in Kenya’s first-ever national predator survey, Kasaine has dedicated his career to understanding and protecting Africa’s iconic predators. Now serving as Assistant Programme Scientist at the Kenya Wildlife Trust’s Mara Predator Conservation Programme, he blends science, community engagement, and conservation action to safeguard these species for generations to come. Enjoy and be inspired.💚🎙️

In this episode, I talk with Felix Ongoma, Sustainable Tourism expert in the making. We dive into defining what partnerships mean to us, our experience working together in different projects and finally why we think that the future is all partnerships and collaborations. Enjoy💚

In this episode I talk with Bright Lemchi, founder Gowasteline companies. We talk through his initiative and the projects they are involved in on the ground to bring social change through waste management. We also tackle issues to do with why it is crucial to involve the youth in these programs and what we call do at an individual level to take action against waste pollution. Enjoy💚

In this episode, I talk with Dean Carlisle, C.E.O, Lessons In Conservation. We talk about his passion and how he got started in conservation from a young age to forming Lessons In Conservation, an organization that inspires and educates the generation of tomorrow to be able to make critical decisions in conservation and make a difference. Enjoy💚

In this final episode of our series #oceanmonthpodcast , we’re honored to have Mr. Abou Bamba, of the UNEP Abidjan Convention Secretariat. We talk through the mandate of the Abidjan Convention, challenges facing conservation and preservation of marine biodiversity in the south East Atlantic region and the need to unlock economic potential in the coastal zones across Africa for the creation of wealth for coastal communities. Enjoy💚

Our guest this week is Maurice Schutgens. He is the conservation program manager at Space for Gi🐘nts.He walks us through Space For Giants conservation work in the Laikipia region in Kenya and across the African region. We also dive deep into human elephant conflict mitigation and its impacts plus much more on the need to unlock economic value in the natural capital within Africa. Be part of this conversation. We’re all we have. Enjoy💚

In this third episode of our #oceanmonthpodcast series, I talk with Dr. Carole and Ben from the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS). We dive into the current Ocean Governance structure and its gaps and practical challenges. We also talk through the highlights of the Strong High Seas Project to date and what sort of interventions and integrated approaches are being put in place to strengthen ocean management both regionally and globally. Enjoy💚

Happy World Giraffe Day🌎. In this episode I talk with Save Giraffes Now President, David O’Connor. We dive into the world of Giraffes, and their conservation. He also takes us through the translocation exercise of Nine Rothschild Giraffes from the flooded Lake Baringo peninsula in Kenya where the giraffes called home, into the Ruko community conservancy using a “GiRaft” as David calls it. Enjoy💚

In this second episode of our new series, #oceanmonthpodcast, I talk with Carolina Hazin. She is the Global marine policy coordinator at Birdlife International. We define High Seas and highlight their importance and we also talk through some of the biggest threats facing the High Seas and how the UN negotiations for a new treaty are currently ongoing. Enjoy💚

In this episode, I talk with Agnes Tjirare about her work with Children In The Wilderness (CITW), an NGO based in Namibia working towards sustainable conservation by giving young children and local communities training and education on matters environmental conservation. We dive into some of the programs and projects they run and also touch on opportunities for the girl child in conservation. Enjoy💚

In this first Episode of our new series, Ocean Month Podcast, in partnership with Birdlife Africa, I talk with Dr. Shannon Hampton, program manager, International Ocean Institute. We talk through the Strong High Seas project and dig into some of the challenges facing regional ocean governance. Enjoy💚

We’re joined by Dr. Yvonne Githiora — a leading conservation scientist and climate change researcher working at the heart of Africa’s landscapes. From driving community-led research to shaping global REDD+ projects at Wildlife Works, Yvonne brings over a decade of experience connecting biodiversity, climate, and people. She's not just a scientist — she’s a mentor, policy influencer, and public voice for nature and justice. Get ready for an inspiring dive into climate action, community resilience, and the power of knowledge in motion. Enjoy and be Inspired💚🎙️

This World Environment Day, together with Birdlife International (Africa), We are proud to bring to you yet another exciting podcast seeking to highlight the strides made by Birdlife partners in restoring critical Ecosystems in Kenya, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Egypt. Enjoy💚

In this Episode, I’m talking with Emma Ochieng, founder Towards A Better Earth Initiative. We talk through what drives her passion for conservation and also dive into what her initiative is doing on the ground to help conserve the environment. Enjoy💚

To commemorate the world endangered species day (WESD) marked annually on the third Friday of May, Boots On The Ground and BirdLife International (Africa) present to you a special podcast focusing on the work of three of their partners. We dig into Vultures and three other bird species; the white winged fluff tail, the liben lark and the Mauritian olive white eye, all listed by the I.U.C.N as critically endangered and are on the brink of extinction. We talk through their uniqueness and the type of threats they face plus a lot more. Enjoy💚

To wrap up the vulture Guardians podcast series, I talk with Dr. Onoja, Director Technical programs at the Nigerian conservation foundation, a key partner of Birdlife International (Africa). We talk through NCF’s efforts in preventing vultures from going extinct and why it is crucial to include local communities at the decision making table when it comes to matters conservation. Enjoy💚

In this Fourth episode of our new series, Vulture Guardians: Helping Vultures Soar Again, I talk with Khadija and Mohamed, Birdlife Africa partner representatives based in Morocco. We dig into what GREPOM is doing in North Africa to save vultures from extinction, but also what makes Morocco special for vultures and their conservation.Enjoy💚

In this Third episode of our new series, Vulture Guardians:Helping Vultures Soar Again, I talk with Fadzai Matsvimbo, Preventing Extinction Program Manager at Birdlife Zimbabwe. We get candid, and we talk about all the work Birdlife Zimbabwe is doing to protect vultures from extinction in the region. Enjoy💚

This is Episode 2 of our new series, Vulture Guardians: Helping vultures soar again. And this week I’m talking with Paul Gacheru, a wildlife ecologist who is the species and sites program manager at Nature Kenya, a key partner of Birdlife International (Africa). Enjoy💚

This week, we’re excited to present to you a new series, Vulture Guardians: Helping Vultures Soar Again in partnership with birdlife Africa. In this pilot episode, I talk with Salisha Chandra,Vulture Conservation Manager, birdlife Africa to drive open this exciting series that will air over the next couple of weeks. We get personal and we talk about the state of the African vultures, a bird species that is declining towards extinction at a very fast rate than ever before. Enjoy💚

Darcy has been involved in research and conservation in Kenya since 2000 when she began her masters degree, and later studied mackinder’s eagle owls 🦉 for her PhD research. Ogada has worked for the Peregrine fund’s Africa program since 2010 and is based in Central Kenya. In 2013, she began work in Northern Kenya focused on studying and conserving vultures. In 2017, she began intensive community level trainings to stop wildlife poisoning and the following year she joined forces with the NGO lion landscapes to initiate their coexistence coop project aimed at helping people in northern Kenya coexist with wildlife. Darcy is a prolific writer of scientific papers, blogs, and general articles on topics concerning African raptors and wildlife poisoning. She recently stepped down as editor of scopus, east Africa’s peer reviewed ornithological journal, and she chairs the African region of the IUCN vulture specialist group. She’s actively involved in a host of local conservation issues as a member of of nature Kenya’s bird committee and the KWS bird task force. She currently monitors and gains inspiration from the next generation of East Africa’s conservationists. Enjoy💚

In this month’s Travel banter hosted by Dibblex and Felix, they gang up to shed light on Development Vs Conservation,a topic that is giving all of us in the conservation space a headache. Listen in and share your thoughts and comments because this is a conversation for everyone! Enjoy💚

Meet John Wanyoike Waitara, a raptor ornithologist, conservationist, and birdwatching specialist. From the highlands of Molo to the skies of Kenya, John is on a mission to protect endangered vultures, engage communities, and inspire a new generation of nature stewards. Join us as we explore the skies, the science, and the stories behind Kenya’s incredible birdlife.

Sport Beattie is the founder and C.E.O of Game Rangers International (GRI). Originally from Zimbabwe, he has a conservation and British military background. Following a 2 year stint in Cambodia training former khamer rouge fighters to become fully fledged rangers, sport helped establish the elephant orphanage project in Zambia. Fourteen years later, GRI has grown into a well established and credible NGO, which currently employs 85* full time staff and empowers 150* front line rangers who are helping to secure more than 1,000,000 acres of prime African wilderness. GRI embraces a holistic approach to conservation. It works across three key thematic areas including; resource protection, community outreach and wildlife rescue. Sport’s goal within GRI is to empower 1000* rangers to secure more than 10,000,000 acres of wilderness area for the benefit of wildlife and local communities alike. His long term vision is to grow the organization into a sustainable entity, which is capable of deploying the hugely successful GRI ranger empowerment model across multiple conservation landscapes in Africa and Asia. Enjoy💚

Evelyn Acham is a passionate climate justice activist from Uganda. She is the national Ugandan coordinator of the rise up movement. Also, she is an Arctic angel at global choices. Evelyn is also an active member with Fridays for nature. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in land economics from Makerere university. Enjoy💚

Susan works as the assistant conservation officer at Loisaba Wildlife conservancy focusing on SMART (spatial monitoring and reporting tool) and lion monitoring in partnership with Lion landscapes. Lion landscapes works with local communities and conservation partners to create landscapes where both large carnivores and local communities can thrive. Enjoy💚

Luke Maamai works with Lion Guardians as program manager. He started working with Lion Guardians in 2008 as a research assistant and later in 2010,Luke was promoted to managerial position. His main job is to oversee guardians performance, offering basic training on literacy, use of scientific equipment like GPS and telemetry equipment, providing help in mitigating conflict and help in fundraising. Luke loves working with local people for sustainable conservation of wildlife globally. Enjoy💚

Dr Lynne MacTavish has worked at Mankwe Wildlife Reserve since 2000 as Operations Manager. She studied Travel and Tourism, has FGASA level 2, and was awarded an honorary doctorate of science in recognition of her major contribution to wildlife conservation in South Africa and promotion of conservation science at the highest level. She is also a qualified first aider. Lynne has been one of the Principal Investigators on the Earthwatch project and has lead 73 research teams. She finds being involved in research and education very rewarding and has recently been co-author on 17 publications. Besides helping her Dad, Dougal, run the reserve Lynne co-ordinates all the student and Earthwatch groups. Lynne has a passionate desire to save the rhino's in South Africa and is involved with the Rhino Protection Unit. She also has a menagerie of orphaned animals that she is rehabilitating at her house. Enjoy and learn something 💚

Jim Karani is an Environmental lawyer who works with law enforcement to ensure wildlife poachers and traffickers are brought to justice. A consulting partner at Lawyers for Animal Protection in Africa (@animallawafrica ) which is a network of lawyers in Africa working to elevate legal protections for Africa's iconic wildlife and domestic species. I hope you enjoy and learn something 👍🏾💚

Toby has vast research and field experience ranging from small mammals to large mammals. He started out as a volunteer intern (for over 4 years) at National Museums of Kenya, Mammalogy Department, before proceeding to Mpala Research Centre as Research Project Field Manager and as a graduate student. As the Ewaso Lions Research Manager, Toby takes the lead role in all monitoring activities and research programme management in order to provide data to support our mission. Toby holds a BSc. in Wildlife Management and Conservation from University of Nairobi, and a Master of Science in Wildlife Management from Karatina University. Toby has applied his skills and over the past years to implement research design, conduct field activities, write research proposals, and author publications in peer reviewed journals. Under the Ewaso Lions Biodiversity and infrastructure programme, Toby has been instrumental in collating data for the A2 Highway cutting across our study area for a consortium of partners monitoring wildlife-vehicle collisions and wildlife-road interactions and participating in consultative discussions on the Linear infrastructure development in Kenya. Enjoy💚

Anna Ashdown is a conservationist and she holds a Bachelors of Science in Wildlife Conservation and Management. Anna has travelled to South Africa every year since she was 17 to volunteer on a wildlife reserve and help them protect their wildlife. Unfortunately She’s not working in a conservation job at the moment as it’s been hard/impossible to work on projects and research expeditions during the pandemic, but she is constantly raising money for and raising awareness of rhino conservation through her Instagram page. Rhino conservation means a lot to her and has a special place in her heart. She has always been a great lover of wildlife and the natural world. Enjoy💚

I welcome all of you to our new segment dubbed , monthly travel banter with Dibblex (myself) and Felix. It’s a segment where we will be sharing current trends and issues in the travel and tourism industry. Reach out and DM us too on what topics and questions you would want us to cover. A new episode on this will be going up each and every month throughout the calendar year. Listen in to this teaser episode we did and leave a review. And also, Subscribe! Subscribe! Subscribe! Let’s do this guys! Much love,stay safe and smile😃💚

Jonathan odongo assists with the implementation of Lewa Wildlife Conservancy’s conservation education program. He holds a degree in Environmental education from Kenyatta University. His interest in the natural world and its preservation has led him to thought leadership platforms such as global environmental educators forum (USA), African regional center for expertise conference(Nairobi), United Nations framework convention on climate change (Morocco),International zoo educators conference in the United Arab Emirates among others. Lewa’s conservation education program hosts over 5,000 students from all corners of Kenya and reaches out to thousands more in the Northern part of the country. Jonathan’s goal in life is to inspire lifelong stewardship of the environment. Enjoy💚

Meet Nkateko Mzimba, a powerhouse protector of wildlife and community. At just 32, Nkateko has become a symbol of resilience and leadership. Starting her journey in 2014 with Transfrontier Africa NPC and the Department of Fisheries, Forestry, and the Environment, she trained with Pro-Track Anti-Poaching Academy and became one of the original members of the Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit—South Africa’s trailblazing all-female ranger team. From braving rhino poaching incursions to rising as a Sergeant, MediaLiaison and Driver, Nkateko, now leads foot and vehicle patrols in Olifants West Nature Reserve, helping keep rhinos safe, without ever carrying a weapon. Listen in and be inspired💚🎙️

Nina joined IRF in May of 2020 as its Executive Director. She has been a wildlife conservation professional for more than 30 years. She previously held positions as vice president of philanthropy and vice president of field conservation at Defenders of Wildlife, and was executive director at Bat Conservation International. Nina has visited all 50 U.S. states and more countries than her age, though she keeps that number a secret. She loves both remote nature travel as well as urban destinations. Despite hating the cold, she has often found herself at the top of big mountains, including Mt. Kenya and the Bale Mountains in Ethiopia. Nina feels very fortunate to travel annually to northern Kenya, where she loves the wildlife, landscapes and people. Enjoy this episode 💚

Since 2001, Cathy has been CEO of Save the Rhino International, a UK-registered charity working to conserve viable populations of the five species of rhino in Africa and Asia. Cathy and her team raise funds for long-term rhino programmes, as well as one-off projects, e.g. workshops or training courses. Save the Rhino also works with NGOs in Vietnam and China to deliver behaviour-change campaigns aimed at reducing the demand for illegal rhino horn. Cathy’s particular remit is to liaise with field programmes to determine priority needs and then build collaborative partnerships to piece together the financing needed to implement rhino conservation strategies. She is a Member of the IUCN SSC African and Asian Rhino Specialist Groups and won the IUCN Harry Messel Award for Conservation Leadership in 2015. She has run seven marathons and three ultra-marathons to raise funds for rhino conservation. Enjoy💚

James Mwenda is a passionate conservationist currently working at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. James is one of the caretakers of the last two known northern white rhinos in existence, a character and narrator of the award-winning documentary ‘’KIFARU” and the recipient of the Paradise Foundation’s 2018 African Ranger Awards. Inspired to make a difference by witnessing extinction on a daily basis, he regularly attends to guests, students, volunteers, and media crews on Ol Pejeta. In the last three years, James has been globe trotting and speaking against species extinction as well as the well-being of the planet. James has appeared on BBC Breakfast, BBC Podcast, Sky News, BBC's Seven Worlds, Euro News , GQ Magazine, One Planet and many more. If he is not looking after his rhino girlfriends, he enjoys safari guiding, photography, playing guitar and a good series binge. I hope you enjoy 💚