Frequent wildlife attacks evokes plans to fence off parks in 6 counties

President William Ruto during launch of a compensation scheme for human-wildlife conflict victims.

An attack of a student of Multimedia University of Kenya and killing of a resident in Kajiado North Sub-county by a hyena has prompted the government to plan to fence off parks in six counties.

The human-wildlife conflicts have also affected learning in some counties, including Kajiado, with a 10-year old boy being trampled to death by an elephant in Letoire location, Kajiado Central Sub-county.

In response, the government has launched a compensation scheme for damages arising from human-wildlife conflict, President William Ruto indicating that some 350km long electric fences will be erected around national parks and game reserves in six counties.

The president directed the ministry to map out all areas which require fencing, including forests, to facilitate the programme in the next five years.

This will see a reduction in human – wildlife conflict in the country.

The president said human-wildlife compensation claims stood at Ksh7 billion for the period 2014-2023. The government has since paid Ksh4 billion.

President Ruto said the remaining Ksh3 billion will be paid in the next 60 days.

“The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife should speed up the verification exercise and work closely with MPs to ensure that the remaining 7,000 families are compensated in the next 60 days,” he said.

The compensation claims are for deaths, injuries, crop destruction, predation and damage to property caused by wild animals.

During the function, President Ruto presented a cheque of Ksh960 million to victims of human-wildlife conflict across the country.

He said the process of compensation will in future be made easier, saying unnecessary bureaucracy will be eliminated.

President Ruto pointed out that the partnership between the government, the private sector and communities is key in sustaining conservation efforts.

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