Government disburses Sh3.8 billion to victims of human-wildlife conflict since 2023

Victims of human-wildlife conflict have been urged to claim compensation from the government, following the disbursement of Sh3.8 billion since 2023 to support affected individuals countrywide.

In a statement, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said the government had significantly increased its financial commitment towards compensating those impacted by wildlife-related incidents.

In 2023, the government released Sh908 million to the State Department for Wildlife for compensation, while in 2024, Sh960 million was released. In 2025, the agency said Sh1.95 billion has been provided for compensating the victims.

“This amount totals to Sh3.8 billion, being the single largest amount of money released by the government for compensation,” it said.

The agency announced shortly after disbursing Sh64,126,000 in Kajiado County during a public engagement forum on human-wildlife conflict mitigation and compensation.

The forum, held in Isara, brought together key stakeholders, including KWS Board Chairman Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Walter Raria Koipaton and KWS Director General Prof. Erustus Kanga.

KWS has now urged victims to engage with the State Department for Wildlife to follow up on their claims. “Therefore, victims of human-wildlife conflict are encouraged to reach out to the State Department for Wildlife to follow up on their compensation claims and receive the support available under the ongoing national programme,” the agency said.

During the forum, Kanga said human-wildlife conflict is no longer just a conservation matter, but a national priority, especially in biodiversity-rich counties such as Kajiado, where human settlement intersects with vital wildlife corridors.

“Human-wildlife conflict is no longer just a conservation issue—it is now a national priority. We recognise the sacrifices that communities have made in coexisting with wildlife,” he said.

𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬 𝐮𝐩 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧-𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐊𝐬𝐡𝐬 𝟑.𝟖 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑

The Government of Kenya has… pic.twitter.com/flrvITIIpN

— Kenya Wildlife Service (@KWSKenya) May 12, 2025

He cited the Amboseli–Kilimanjaro ecosystem as one of Kenya’s most important natural assets, requiring deliberate efforts to preserve it.

Kanga also pointed out that key human-wildlife conflict hotspots include Taita Taveta, Kajiado, Narok, Laikipia, Meru, Kwale, Baringo (notably due to snakes), Kitui and Isiolo.

He highlighted KWS’s multifaceted approach to mitigating the crisis, including deploying rapid response teams equipped with wildlife tracking technology, supporting predator-proof bomas, translocating dangerous animals, erecting fences and installing predator deterrent lights.

KWS has also undertaken numerous corporate social responsibility projects such as developing water pans, awarding bursaries to learners and constructing and fencing schools in affected community landscapes.

Kanga reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to conserving and protecting wildlife while safeguarding human lives.

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“Let us work together to co-create lasting, inclusive, and community-driven solutions that secure both human and wildlife well-being,” he said.

His remarks come days after the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife revealed that it has spent Sh2.8 billion over the past two years on human-wildlife conflict compensation.

Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano said that by February 2023, outstanding compensation claims exceeded Sh4.16 billion.

“The government has so far paid out Sh2.8 billion in compensation since the current administration took office, leaving a balance of Sh1.36 billion yet to be disbursed,” she said.

“However, challenges such as funding shortfalls, manual claim verification delays, and unresolved legacy claims dating back to 2014 have hampered faster resolution.”

The ministry reported that nearly 20,000 claims are still pending at the county level, awaiting verification and processing.