Kenya advances KSh5.7B for human-wildlife conflict

Kenya is intensifying its efforts to address the escalating human-wildlife conflict that threatens both rural livelihoods and the nation’s rich biodiversity.
In a significant move, the government has announced a KSh 5.7 billion compensation plan for victims of HWC, aiming to settle all pending claims by the 2026/2027 financial year. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to fostering peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife.
The compensation scheme, launched by Principal Secretary for Wildlife, Silvia Museiya, is part of a broader strategy to mitigate the adverse effects of HWC.
“The government has already disbursed KSh 206 million to residents of Taita Taveta County, covering claims from 2014 to 2021. Additionally, KSh 908 million has been released to farmers across 46 counties for losses incurred between 2014 and 2019,” Museiya said.
To enhance the efficiency of compensation processes, the government is implementing a digital scheme administration system. This system aims to streamline data collection, case processing, and payment procedures, reducing bureaucracy and expediting support to affected communities.
“Beyond financial compensation, the government is investing in infrastructure and conservation initiatives to prevent future conflicts. Plans include the construction of 45 water pans and 27 boreholes in protected areas and community conservancies, as well as the erection of 350 kilometers of electric fencing in conflict hotspots,” she explained,
“These measures aim to reduce human-wildlife interactions by providing alternative water sources for wildlife and creating physical barriers to prevent encroachment into human settlements.”
The National Human-Wildlife Coexistence Strategy and Action Plan 2024-2033, launched in March 2024, outlines a comprehensive approach to managing HWC. The strategy focuses on land and space management, innovative mitigation strategies, capacity enhancement, institutional reforms, and the development of a wildlife economy that includes fair compensation mechanisms.
Community engagement is central to these efforts. In Taita Taveta County, residents are
adopting alternative agricultural practices, such as cultivating sunflowers and green grams, to deter wildlife from raiding crops. These crops are less attractive to animals and provide farmers with viable income sources, thereby reducing the likelihood of conflict.
The government’s proactive approach is yielding positive results. In a notable conservation effort, 50 elephants were relocated from the overcrowded Mwea National Reserve to the larger Aberdare National Park. This move not only alleviates pressure on the reserve’s ecosystem but also mitigates the risk of elephants straying into nearby communities and causing damage.
Kenya Widlife Service.