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MPs raise alarm on pending bills resulting from human-wildlife conflict

Kenya Wildlife Service rangers attend to a white rhino at Ol Pejeta conservancy in March 2023. (Photo: KWS)

By Issa Hussein | Friday, March 22, 2024

The MPs argued that the government's compensation plans were not enough to avert the crisis caused by the pending bills.

A section of Members of Parliament has raised concerns about the significant backlog of pending bills resulting from human-wildlife conflicts.

The MPs drawn from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) were alarmed by the situation, while reviewing the Auditor-General's report on the State Department for Wildlife for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022.

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Led by its chairperson, Nominated MP John Mbadi, the committee called for increased budgetary allocation to settle the pending bills.

According to PAC, the unpaid bills amount to a staggering Sh2.3 billion and are expected to increase to Sh5.7 billion as more claimants await verification of their applications for compensation.

Among the claims filed include losses caused by wildlife such as injuries, fatalities and damages to property.

The Principal Secretary of the State Department for Wildlife, Silvia Museiya Kihoro acknowledged the pending bills and assured the MPs that the government was planning to implement an insurance scheme to compensate victims of the human-wildlife conflict.

However, the MPs argued that the plans were not enough to avert the crisis caused by the pending bills.

Bura MP, Yaqub Adow, proposed the government consider a multi-faceted approach that combines short-term and long-term relief measures to address the issue.

"As a committee, we urge the government to take swift action to mitigate the suffering and financial strain experienced by those affected", Adow said.

His Mathioya counterpart, Dr Edwin Mugo, recommended the immediate allocation of resources to expedite the verification and settlements of pending claims to relieve the affected individuals and communities.

Funyula MP, Dr. Wilberforce Oundo called for enhanced collaboration between the state department, wildlife conservation organisations and relevant stakeholders to develop sustainable strategies to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.

"Let's invest in wildlife corridors, implement effective deterrent measures and promote community-based conservation initiatives", said the MP.

Butere Mp Tindi Mwala, the committee's vice chairperson concurred and urged the government to explore innovative funding mechanisms such as public-private partnership and eco-tourism revenue sharing to support conservation efforts and alleviate the financial burden on affected communities.

The committee further emphasised the need to create public awareness about the consequences of human-wildlife conflict and other proactive conservation measures.