Human-Wildlife conflict victims to be compensated in 90 days, CS Miano says

Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano says victims of human-wildlife conflicts will now be compensated in three months, after filing a formal complaint.

The CS made the sentiments during this year’s World Wildlife Day celebrations in Baringo County on Monday, March 3. The theme of this year’s celebration is ‘Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet’

CS Miano says the intervention is part of the state’s efforts in ensuring a peaceful co-existence between the people and wildlife.  

“The government has thus far up-scaled efforts in compensating humanwildlife conflict victims in a fair and timely manner supported by a more efficient digital system. Baringo is among the pilot counties where victims can now receive compensation within 90 days of lodging their claims,” CS Miano says.

“These interventions are a crucial step toward  fostering coexistence between people and wildlife while ensuring sustainable conservation practices. As we mark this significant day, let us all reaffirm our commitment to a future where people and wildlife coexist harmoniously,” she added.

To ensure wildlife is conserved, the CS says the ministry will prioritize public-private partnerships, encouraging industries to contribute to conservation, ensuring communities benefit from conservation by incentivizing sustainable land use and support nature-based tourism and local enterprises that generate revenue for conservation and local livelihoods.

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Director-General Dr. Erustus Kanga says there is need for more funding of wildlife conservation efforts, to address the emerging challenges.

In his statement, Kanga has also called for partnerships especially between the county and national governments.

“We call for increased investment in conservation financing, partnerships with county governments, and enhanced collaboration with local communities and stakeholders,” Kanga has said.

He has also listed declining populations of some wildlife species, inadequate park infrastructure and outdated parks as some of the challenges that hinder some of the wildlife conservation efforts.

To address the challenges, he says additional funding for endangered species recovery plans, protected area management, research programs, boosting park infrastructure will go a long way.

He adds that modernization of parks will help enhance visitor experiences and boost revenue generation.

Wildlife Day is celebrated on March 3, annually.