Community engagement in conservation efforts is crucial for wildlife preservation in African sanctuaries. A mixed-methods approach including surveys, interviews, and focus groups was employed to gather data from local communities. Community involvement varied significantly across reserves; active engagement was observed in 45% of surveyed households. Communities perceive conservation efforts positively but face challenges related to resource allocation and cultural sensitivities. Enhanced community education programmes and fairer distribution of benefits from tourism are recommended for improved participation. community engagement, psychosocial impact, wildlife sanctuaries, Kenyan reserves