Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Rebecca Miano
STATE UNVEILS NEW MODEL FOR COMPENSATING VICTIMS OF HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT
The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has introduced a transformative model for compensating victims of human-wildlife conflict (HWC). This initiative marks a significant shift in Kenya’s strategy to harmonise wildlife conservation with community welfare.
The Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Rebecca Miano, announced this development during a press briefing in Nairobi, in advance of a nationwide HWC compensation drive in Meru.
Acknowledging Kenya’s longstanding commitment to wildlife conservation, CS Miano emphasized the “high price” often borne by communities living alongside wildlife. She remarked that while Kenya’s wildlife is considered a “national treasure and a key pillar of tourism,” the government is acutely aware of the hardships faced by these communities.
“Kenya’s formal efforts to address human-wildlife conflict date back to the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act of 1976,” Miano stated. “We are building on that foundation with a more responsive and community-focused compensation model. It is designed to safeguard biodiversity while addressing the needs of our people,” she explained.
To further address challenges encountered in the manual compensation system, the government initiated a digital compensation program in 2024.
Piloted in six counties, the program utilizes a digital platform for collecting and processing claims data. Small claims, up to KSh 100,000, are disbursed directly to beneficiaries through MPESA.
The two-year pilot, set to conclude in November, has already disbursed KSh 10,127,812 to successful applicants. Additionally, 804 approved claims, totaling KSh 29,519,322, are currently awaiting payment.
CS Miano underscored the importance of collaboration for the success of this initiative, inviting the media to form a partnership with the Ministry.
“We need to tell stories that shift the narrative from conflict to coexistence,” she asserted, encouraging journalists and content creators to visit pilot counties, engage with beneficiaries, and help amplify the message of unity and shared responsibility.
“The future of wildlife and communities depends on our collective efforts to make coexistence not only feasible but beneficial for all,”CS concluded.
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