Human-wildlife conflict: Parliament to probe unpaid claims of over Ksh.5B

The inquiry will look into widespread cases that have not been compensated as far back as the nineties, with the committee seeking to get a solution that will be beneficial to affected Kenyans.

“We have stated that we are going to open public inquiry because this problem is affecting people in almost all parts of the country,” said National Assembly Tourism and Wildlife Committee chair Kareke Mbiuki.

The committee was petitioned by members of the public over the delay by the government to compensate victims of human-wildlife conflict despite such conflicts having far-reaching effects on their lives.

This is in spite of a fund that was set aside in 2013 to cater for compensation of victims of those affected by the conflict.

Wildlife PS Sylvia Museiya admitted the incessant delays in the compensation of the victims of human-wildlife conflicts.

Speaking when she appeared before the committee, Museiya disclosed that the Treasury has only disbursed monies to the kitty three times since its formation in 2013, with the ministry disbursing Ksh.958 million for compensation of the victims in the last financial year. 

“Of the Ksh.958 million, we have compensated Kenyans from 2014 up to 2018, there is still a big backlog,” Museiya said as she pleaded with MPs for more funding. 

In the current fiscal year, the department has been allocated Ksh.1.1 billion for compensation of the victims. 

“We are trying to clear the backlog from 2018 to 2020, but I must add because the public is here, we are not paying in full, we doing it in batches but when we get the money we will clear the balance. I would want to plead with the committee please help us to clear this backlog, when we come to you for allocation please hear our pleas,” she told the committee. 

Members of the committee joined members of the public in lamentations with many complaining of the time they have had to wait to be compensated. 

"I’m a victim of HWC. I have been attacked and my farm destroyed. But for me, I could live with it, but my constituents, peasant farmers cannot because that is their life," said Voi MP Hamisi Chome.

This comes even as Lamu East MP Ruweida Obo has introduced an amendment to Wildlife Conservation and Management Act to expand the list of animals to which compensation claims can be paid.

In the amendments, the lawmaker seeks to add four sea animals – stone fish, whales, sting rays and sharks – to the list.