The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has disbursed Ksh 60 million in compensation to residents of Kilifi County affected by human–wildlife conflict, in a move aimed at restoring trust, dignity, and financial relief to struggling families.
The payout, facilitated through the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), covers claims filed between 2014 and October 2020 and focuses on partial settlements for human deaths caused by wildlife encounters. Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano said the government is committed to clearing all pending claims across the country.
“While wildlife is a treasured gift to our nation, we must take proactive measures to prevent these adverse interactions,” Miano stated during the disbursement event. “We are working to ensure animals remain within designated habitats, allowing residents to farm and conduct business without fear.”
Miano emphasized that compensation is a constitutional right, as provided under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, and not an act of charity. She revealed that over 1,300 cases of human–wildlife conflict have been reported in Kilifi since 2021 alone.
Nationwide, the government has already released Ksh 2.8 billion in compensation, with an additional Ksh 1.36 billion under processing. Miano also highlighted a six-pillar prevention strategy, including corridor fencing, modern early warning systems, enhanced ranger deployment, and community upliftment through Corporate Social Investment initiatives such as water tank distribution and classroom construction.
KWS Board Chairman Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Walter Koipaton reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to transparency and community-focused conservation. “These interventions, anchored in the KWS Strategic Plan 2024–2028 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, reflect a shared vision where communities and wildlife flourish together,” he said.
KWS Director General Prof. Charles Kanga acknowledged the hardships residents face, especially in wildlife conflict hotspots such as Ganze, Magarini, and Vitengeni. He confirmed the deployment of a fully equipped Problem Animal Management Unit (PAMU) in Kilifi to improve rapid response and ensure community safety.
The compensation program and preventive interventions mark a significant shift toward inclusive, people-centered conservation, signaling a stronger partnership between the state, local communities, and Kenya’s wildlife heritage.
Written By Rodney Mbua
