The Kenyan government has paid Ksh 60 million to residents of Kilifi County who lost family members or property due to human-wildlife conflict. The funds, disbursed through the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), cover incidents from 2014 through October 2020.
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano confirmed the payout during a visit to Kilifi. She said the compensation was part of a broader plan to settle pending claims nationwide and restore community trust. “While wildlife is a treasured gift to our nation, we must take proactive measures to prevent these adverse interactions,” she stated. “We are working to ensure animals remain within designated habitats, allowing residents to farm and conduct business without fear.”
Miano clarified that compensation is not an act of goodwill but a constitutional right under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act. She reported that more than 1,300 human-wildlife conflict cases have been recorded in Kilifi since 2021. Nationwide, the government has disbursed Ksh 2.8 billion for similar claims, with an additional Ksh 1.36 billion pending.
To reduce further incidents, Miano outlined a six-point prevention strategy, including fencing of wildlife corridors, installing early warning systems, and deploying more rangers. She also highlighted ongoing Corporate Social Investment projects such as classroom construction and water tank distribution.
KWS Board Chairman Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Walter Koipaton said the agency is committed to making KWS more community-focused and transparent. “Inclusive, people-led conservation remains central to our mission,” Koipaton said.
KWS has also deployed a Problem Animal Management Unit (PAMU) in Kilifi to respond faster to incidents in high-risk areas such as Ganze, Magarini, and Vitengeni. Prof. Charles Kanga from KWS confirmed that the unit is fully equipped to reduce attacks and restore a sense of safety.
Both the compensation and intervention efforts fall under the KWS Strategic Plan 2024–2028 and the national Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
