The Kenyan government has begun disbursing over Ksh60 million to compensate people in Kilifi County who have suffered losses due to human-wildlife conflict. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) announced this initiative on Wednesday, stating that the funds will help restore dignity and rebuild trust with affected families.
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano explained that the payments cover incidents that happened between 2014 and October 2020, and are part of a wider effort to settle claims related to human deaths caused by wildlife attacks.
Miano emphasized that this compensation is not a handout but a constitutional right, as outlined in the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act. She assured Kenyans that the government remains fully committed to paying all outstanding claims. Since 2021, over 1,300 cases of human-wildlife conflict have been recorded in Kilifi County alone.
The CS also revealed that the current administration has already disbursed Ksh2.8 billion in compensation to affected individuals and communities. An additional Ksh1.36 billion is currently being processed as part of ongoing efforts to ease the suffering of those impacted by wildlife-related incidents.
To prevent future cases, Miano highlighted a six-point government strategy which includes fencing wildlife corridors, deploying advanced early warning systems, and increasing the number of rangers on the ground. These measures aim to reduce the frequency and severity of wildlife encounters in human settlements.
In addition to financial support, the government is also focusing on long-term community development through Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programs. These include building classrooms for local schools, distributing water storage tanks, and supporting various local development projects.
On May 7, CS Miano officially launched the Human-Wildlife Conflict Compensation Drive, during which she announced that affected Kenyans would start receiving their payments via mobile money platforms. This move is meant to speed up the process and make compensation more accessible.
She added that even those receiving less than Ksh100,000 would have the money sent directly to their mobile phones, ensuring quick and safe delivery of funds.
“Moving forward, on behalf of the government, I want to assure Kenyans that we are treating human-wildlife conflict as a top priority,” said CS Miano. “We recognize and appreciate the patience and sacrifices made by communities who have suffered for many years because of this issue.”
This new compensation method reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to standing with its people, particularly those who have been severely affected by wildlife invasions and attacks.
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