Adani Whistleblower Nelson Amenya Lifts Lid on Scandalous Sale of Kipini Conservancy

Renowned activist raises alarm over alleged attempts to sell Kenya’s last wild coastal sanctuary to highest bidder

Nelson Amenya, the whistleblower who exposed the controversial JKIA-Adani Group deal, has turned his attention to another potential scandal – the alleged sale of Kipini Conservancy, one of Kenya’s most ecologically significant coastal sanctuaries.

In a series of explosive social media posts, Amenya detailed what he describes as a “cautionary tale of exploitation and deceit” surrounding the conservancy, which sits between Tana River and Lamu counties and represents Africa’s only ecosystem where elephants, lions, leopards, and marine turtles coexist on a beach.

A Conservation Success Story Turned Sour

The story of Kipini Conservancy begins as a conservation triumph.

Originally a cattle ranch abandoned due to tsetse fly infestation, the land was transformed by the Swaleh Nguru family into a wildlife sanctuary after two decades of failed ranching attempts.

The family established the conservancy as a trust dedicated to protecting biodiversity for future generations.

However, according to Amenya’s allegations, what was meant to be a beacon for conservation has become embroiled in controversy.

At the center of the storm is Omar Sherman, also known as Dr. Farouk Sherman, whom Amenya identifies as a family member and self-proclaimed chairman of the Kipini Wildlife Botanical Conservancy Trust.

Allegations of Fraud and Exploitation

Amenya’s accusations against Sherman are extensive and serious. The whistleblower alleges that Sherman has:

• Attempted multiple times to sell the conservancy to the highest bidder
• Fraudulently solicited donor funds from the EU and Kenya Tourism Board under false pretenses
• Set up shell projects, including Kipini Lodge, to facilitate fraudulent activities
• Misrepresented conservation efforts with the assistance of his wife, Sari Sherman, a UNEP employee
• Brokered a deal to sell Kipini to the Kenya Defence Forces for an estimated $500 million

Perhaps most alarming is Amenya’s claim that Sherman triggered multiple military visits to the conservancy in 2021 as part of the alleged KDF deal.

In response, the family patriarch, Awadh Swaleh Nguru, along with conservation organizations, filed a case in the Environment and Land Court to block the acquisition.

The Threat of Resource Extraction

Beyond the alleged sale attempts, Amenya warns of additional threats to the conservancy’s future.

He claims that oil and gas exploration looms over Block L6, which encompasses the conservancy, and that Sherman is reportedly attempting to sell parts of the land for titanium mining.

According to Amenya, these mining efforts involve Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho through a company called Celestlink Investment Ltd, allegedly linked to the minister.

Why Kipini Matters

The conservation significance of Kipini Conservancy cannot be overstated. According to Amenya’s detailed breakdown, the area serves as:

• The only ecosystem in Kenya where elephants, lions, leopards, and turtles coexist on a beach
• The sole remaining elephant migratory corridor connecting the Boni-Dodori and Galana-Tsavo ecosystems
• Critical elephant birthing and maternity grounds in the Kangawati, Bopwe, and Luimshi forests
• Elephant retirement zones in the Bahareni and Lake Amu forests
• Breeding and migration paths for endangered Coastal Topi
• One of the last remaining turtle nesting beaches where all five species lay eggs
• A repository of priceless coastal heritage including ancient mosques, ruins, tombs, and sacred sites

The conservancy holds the distinction of being Kenya’s first gazetted Environmentally Significant Area (ESA).

A Pattern of Alleged Misconduct

Amenya’s investigation reveals what he describes as a systematic pattern of exploitation by Sherman.

Court records allegedly show over a dozen cases filed by Sherman, which Amenya suggests are intended not to seek justice but to harass and intimidate opposition through protracted legal battles.

The allegations extend to fraudulent use of properties belonging to third parties, notably Anglo-Swiss Ltd, to secure loans from the Kenya Tourism Board.

Amenya claims Sherman signed agreements on behalf of both borrower and lender without legal authority, representing a blatant conflict of interest.

One particularly damning allegation involves a €750,000 EU grant tied to a conservation initiative.

Amenya reports that the funds never reached the conservancy and that the project was abandoned due to non-compliance and lack of genuine implementation, reflecting what he describes as a recurring pattern of securing funds under false pretenses.

The Network of Collaborators

According to Amenya, Sherman’s alleged operations involve several key collaborators:

• Christian Lambrechts, a Belgian national and former UNEP official, serving as a key associate and director
• Peter Nyauma Gichana, described as central in obtaining approximately 50 million KES in funding from the Kenya Tourism Board
• Julius Muvea Muinde of ALMS Registrars, the same company secretary involved in the infamous NYS scandal

Amenya also alleges that Sherman has weaponized state institutions, claiming he wields influence within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and maintains a close association with DCI Director Mohamed Amin.

A Call for Intervention

The whistleblower’s revelations culminate in urgent calls for intervention from key authorities.

Amenya specifically appeals to Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, Chief Justice Martha Koome, and Members of Parliament to prevent what he describes as the quiet bartering away of Kenya’s coastal heritage.

“This is more than a land dispute. It is a battle for one of Kenya’s last truly wild coastal frontiers,” Amenya emphasized.

“If we lose Kipini, we lose an irreplaceable link in East Africa’s ecological and cultural heritage.”

These allegations emerge against the backdrop of Amenya’s previous success in exposing the controversial JKIA-Adani deal, which ultimately led to the cancellation of the project.

His track record as a credible whistleblower lends weight to his current allegations about Kipini Conservancy.

The timing is particularly significant as Kenya grapples with balancing development needs against conservation imperatives.

The country has seen increasing pressure to exploit natural resources while simultaneously commitments to environmental protection and sustainable development.

Questions Demanding Answers

Amenya’s detailed allegations raise several critical questions that demand immediate investigation:

How did Sherman allegedly gain control over conservation trust funds meant for environmental protection?

What role, if any, did state institutions play in facilitating these alleged fraudulent activities?

Why has the designation of Kipini as an Environmentally Significant Area not provided adequate protection against these alleged exploitation attempts?

The accusations also highlight broader systemic issues within Kenya’s conservation sector, including the vulnerability of community conservancies to exploitation and the need for stronger regulatory frameworks to protect environmental assets.

The Stakes Are High

The potential loss of Kipini Conservancy would represent more than just another failed conservation project.

As Amenya emphasizes, it would sever an irreplaceable link in East Africa’s ecological chain and destroy a unique ecosystem that has taken decades to establish and protect.

The conservancy’s role as a corridor connecting major ecosystems makes its preservation crucial for wildlife migration patterns and genetic diversity.

Its significance extends beyond Kenya’s borders, contributing to regional biodiversity conservation efforts.

As these allegations circulate, the spotlight now turns to the institutions and individuals named by Amenya.

The Ministry of Tourism, the judiciary, and Parliament face mounting pressure to investigate and act upon these claims.

The case of Kipini Conservancy serves as a critical test of Kenya’s commitment to environmental protection and the rule of law.

How authorities respond to these allegations will send a clear message about the country’s priorities and the strength of its institutions in protecting natural heritage.

For now, Amenya’s revelations have ensured that what he describes as quiet negotiations to sell off Kenya’s coastal treasure can no longer proceed in the shadows.

The question remains whether this exposure will be enough to save Kipini Conservancy from the alleged exploitation that threatens its very existence.