Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani on Friday used Jamhuri Day celebrations in Samburu to push for urgent action on the worsening human wildlife conflict in Kinango and Lunga Lunga sub counties.
Speaking at Mwabila Primary School grounds, Achani said both the Kwale County Government and the National Government must intervene in Macknon, Samburu, Ndavaya, Puma and parts of Lunga Lunga, where elephants and other wildlife continue to destroy farms and threaten livelihoods.
She said the county has already opened talks with the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife to fast track compensation for affected farmers.
“Our farmers have suffered massive losses due to the destruction of crops by wild animals. I have already engaged the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife to ensure that every farmer whose crops were destroyed is duly compensated,” she said.
Achani added that the county, in partnership with the National Government, will roll out emergency food support for drought stricken households whose harvests were wiped out by wildlife.
“No family should go hungry because their crops were destroyed by wildlife. We are working with the National Government to deliver emergency food supplies to the most affected villages across Kwale,” she said.
The governor also highlighted progress made since devolution, pointing to expanded education support, improved water access and upgrades in infrastructure and the blue economy.
She noted that more than 75,000 learners have benefitted from county bursaries and scholarships, while over 70 water pans have been constructed, 600 kilometres of water pipelines laid and 100 boreholes drilled.
On the blue economy, Achani said the county has provided 62 modern boats, built nine mini ports, supplied fishing gear and funded technical training with a KSh 46 million scholarship kitty.
She added that youth, women and persons with disabilities are increasingly benefiting from county procurement, with more than 300 groups registered as companies and over 150 already awarded contracts for projects such as ECDE classrooms, borehole drilling and town cleaning.
Kinango MP Gonzi Rai backed the governor’s development agenda and urged leaders to work together, saying unity is essential in tackling challenges facing residents. Kwale County Assembly Speaker Seth Kamanza Mwatela echoed the sentiment, calling for consistency in service delivery.
