KBC Channel 1

Tag: Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC)

  • State releases Ksh 950M to compensate victims of human-wildlife conflict

    State releases Ksh 950M to compensate victims of human-wildlife conflict

    The National Government has released Ksh 950 million to compensate victims of human-wildlife conflict across the country.

    Speaking at Ndolele area in Igembe North Sub-County, Meru County, during a meeting with residents, Senior KWS Assistant Director for the Eastern Conservation Area, John Wambua, confirmed that the funds have already been disbursed.

    He said the compensation will benefit individuals who reported incidents and duly filled in all the required compensation forms.

    Wambua further noted that Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is constructing a 42-kilometre electric fence around Meru National Park to curb the movement of elephants and other wild animals into residential areas.

    He urged victims of human-wildlife conflict who have not yet submitted their bank details to do so at the nearest KWS warden offices.

    He clarified that compensation is processed by the government, not KWS, and that payments are made directly to victims’ bank accounts.

    Jacob Ouma, the Meru County Commissioner and Chairperson of the County Conservation and Compensation Committee, called on residents to provide accurate information when reporting incidents and filling out compensation forms.

    He warned that exaggerating the extent of damage or inflating property values could lead to disqualification from compensation.

    Residents Jeffrey Mugambi and John Kirimi appealed to KWS to support nearby public schools through corporate social responsibility initiatives, including drilling boreholes to address water shortages in the dry area.

    They also urged the management of Meru National Park to consider offering educational tours or free park visits to top-performing pupils from neighbouring public schools, to help them appreciate the importance of wildlife conservation.

  • DP Kindiki: Government to Fully Compensate Human-Wildlife Conflict Victims by 2027

    DP Kindiki: Government to Fully Compensate Human-Wildlife Conflict Victims by 2027

    Deputy President Professor Kithure Kindiki has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that all victims of human-wildlife conflict are fully compensated by the year 2027.

    Speaking at the Naibor Trading Centre in Laikipia County—where he presided over the issuance of compensation cheques worth KSh 70 million to more than 700 victims—Prof. Kindiki emphasized the government’s resolve to clear the longstanding backlog in compensation, noting that some victims have waited over a decade for redress.

    The Deputy President also announced that the government, through the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), is undertaking a nationwide initiative to fence all wildlife sanctuaries. The move aims to significantly reduce incidents of wild animals straying into human settlements and causing harm.

    In addition, Prof. Kindiki revealed plans to upgrade the Nanyuki–Doldol and Nanyuki–Rumuruti roads to bitumen standards, a move expected to enhance mobility and economic activity in the region.

    Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, who accompanied the Deputy President, said her ministry is complementing the fencing program by improving access roads within game parks and reserves as part of broader efforts to boost tourism.

    Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu, who also attended the event, acknowledged the severe impact human-wildlife conflict has had on local communities. He welcomed the delayed but significant compensation as a positive step towards fostering peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife.

    Laikipia County ranks second in reported cases of human-wildlife conflict, trailing only Taita Taveta.

    Several beneficiaries expressed gratitude after receiving compensation cheques, which varied depending on the extent of injuries or damage to property caused by wildlife.

    Local leaders used the occasion to urge the immediate construction of the Nanyuki–Doldol road, describing it as a major challenge for area residents due to its poor condition.

  • KWS responds to lioness incident in Rongai, ensures ongoing patrols

    KWS responds to lioness incident in Rongai, ensures ongoing patrols

    The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has responded to CCTV footage circulating on social media, depicting a lioness scaling a perimeter wall in a private residence and absconding with a pedigree dog early Wednesday morning.

    In light of this, they swiftly dispatched the Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) team to the area.

    However, the lioness was not found nearby, raising suspicions that she may have cubs hidden elsewhere.

    KWS reassures area residents that the HWC team continues to patrol the locality, supported by the more experienced Problem Animal Management Unit (PAMU).

    The public is informed that heavy rains, like those recently experienced in Nairobi, prompt herbivores to migrate through the unfenced southern part of Nairobi National Park towards settlements like Rongai, Kitengela, Athi-Kapiti, and the larger Kajiado area.

    According to KWS, this migration is attributed to waterlogged grounds and tall grass, which serve as hideouts for predators.

    As herbivores move, carnivores such as lions, leopards, and hyenas follow in pursuit of their primary food source. This movement can result in unfortunate incidents, such as the predation of domestic dogs seen in the CCTV footage.

    KWS highlights that over eighty per cent of Nairobi National Park’s perimeter is fenced, ensuring much of Nairobi remains safe from wildlife raids.

    However, the ongoing rains have caused significant wildlife displacement, heightening the risk of unexpected encounters in wildlife-prone areas.

    Residents in these areas are advised to exercise caution, particularly at night.

    KWS also urges the public to be vigilant against misinformation, citing recent false reports of lion sightings near the Nairobi Women’s Prison along Lang’ata Road.

    In response to such reports, the service dispatched PAMU teams to patrol the areas overnight, but the sightings turned out to be unfounded.

    The public is encouraged to report Human-Wildlife Conflict incidents immediately and in detail to the KWS 24/7 toll-free line at 0800 597 000.