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MPs call for increased budget to tackle ballooning wildlife conflict claims

The Public Accounts Committee chaired by John Mbadi. (Parliament)

By Issa Hussein | 22 Mar 2024

These claims encompass losses stemming from wildlife-related incidents such as injuries, fatalities, and property damages.

Members of Parliament, along with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), scrutinized the Auditor-General's report on the State Department of Wildlife for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, expressing concerns over the substantial backlog of pending bills arising from human-wildlife conflicts.

Chaired by Nominated MP John Mbadi, the Public Accounts Committee called for a bolstered budgetary allocation to address the significant backlog of unpaid bills.

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PAC revealed that the unpaid bills amount to a staggering sum of Sh2.3 billion, projected to escalate to Sh5.7 billion as additional claims await verification for compensation. These claims encompass losses stemming from wildlife-related incidents such as injuries, fatalities, and property damages.

Silvia Museiya Kihoro, the Principal Secretary of the State Department for Wildlife, takes an oath before the start of the session. (Parliament)

Silvia Museiya Kihoro, the Principal Secretary of the State Department for Wildlife, outlined the government's plan to implement an insurance scheme to alleviate the plight of unpaid victims of human-wildlife conflicts. However, MPs expressed skepticism, asserting that these measures alone would not suffice to resolve the crisis of unpaid bills.

Bura MP Yaqub Adow proposed a comprehensive approach blending short-term relief measures with long-term sustainable solutions to tackle the issue. "As a committee, we urge the government to swiftly address the suffering and financial strain experienced by those affected," Adow emphasized.

Mathioya MP Edwin Mugo recommended the immediate allocation of resources to expedite the verification and settlement of pending claims, providing much-needed relief to affected individuals and communities.

Finyula MP Wilberforce Oundo advocated for enhanced collaboration between the State Department, wildlife conservation organizations, and relevant stakeholders to devise sustainable strategies to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts. "Let's invest in wildlife corridors, implement effective deterrent measures, and promote community-based conservation initiatives," he urged.

Butere MP Tindi Mwale, vice-chairperson of the committee, urged the government to explore innovative funding mechanisms such as public-private partnerships and revenue-sharing from eco-tourism to bolster conservation efforts and ease the financial burden on affected communities.

The committee emphasized the imperative of raising public awareness regarding the repercussions of human-wildlife conflicts and the necessity for proactive conservation measures.