Leonard Akwany is a native of Lake Victoria and pioneer leader for Kenya Lake Victoria Waterkeeper in Africa. He has been instrumental in promoting nature conservation and environmental sustainability, working with local, national, and international organizations such as Waterkeeper Alliance, Conservation International, Wetlands International, Nile Basin Initiative, Lake Victoria Region Local Authorities Cooperation, Friends of Lake Victoria, and Ecofinder Kenya.
Leonard is currently involved in transformative continental work on area-based fisheries conservation through Community Fish Reserves, Locally Managed Lacustrine Areas and 'Other effective area-based conservation measures' (OECMs) for inland waters fisheries and biodiversity.
He is an award-winning conservationist and environmental entrepreneur including the Whitley Fund for Nature Award (2023), Waterkeeper Alliance Terry Backer Award (2020), Global Forest Watch Tech Fellowship (2019), and First Pan-African Entrepreneurial Teacher Award (2007).
Leonard holds a B.Sc. in Natural Resources Management from Egerton University, Kenya and an M.Sc. in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management from the University of Manchester, UK.