Thousands of victims of wildlife attacks shouldn't hold their breath before receiving compensation as the government struggles to settle the rising cases.
National Assembly's Committee on Tourism and Wildlife chairman Kareke Mbiuki on Thursday said unpaid compensation claims total more than Sh3 billion, while another Sh2 billion is awaiting processing and approval.
He said the rising cases of human-wildlife conflict are largely a result of climate change. They have become have become a nationwide challenge since many regions are experiencing wildlife conflicts.
“ The agency is, however, faced with a lack of enough funds to settle the approved claims despite the rising number of cases,” Mbiuki said.
He was speaking at Voi, Taita Taveta county during a meeting with residents management of tourism and wildlife.
In Taita Taveta county alone, Mbiuki said, KWS has approved Sh280 million for compensation of claims lodged since 2014. They form part of the unpaid claims he said the government is working around-the=clock to settle.
Further, some 1,700 cases of wildlife attacks in the county are pending approval, consequently ballooning the list of people expecting compensation.
Last year, the state announced it will compensate victims of wildlife attacks with Sh139 million before the end of the financial year. It covers 12 deaths caused by wildlife attacks, 838 cases of crop destruction and 155 cases of destruction of property caused by stray elephants.
However, he assured the victims that the government is committed to settling all the approved claims without further delay.
“We are in engagement with the budget committee and the national leadership to ensure adequate funds are availed so families that are affected can be paid out,” the Maara legislator said.
The chairman was accompanied by other members of the committee, including Hamisi Chome (Voi), Peter Shake (Mwatate), Elizabeth Karambu (Meru), Richard Cheruiyot (Bomet Central) and Mathioya’s Dr Edwin Mugo.
Mbiuki further said the government is piloting the issuance of insurance to phase out the payment of claims, noting that a final decision will be made at the end of the piloting period.
To mitigate the escalating wildlife conflict, Voi MP Chome asked KWS to fast-track the completion of electric fences along the areas prone to wildlife attacks.
“The electric fence should be prioritised so we reduce the cases being reported. Rampant wildlife attacks have hurt the economy of our people,” Chome said.
He asked KWS to solve boundary tussles and encroachment issues that have been attributed to the delayed completion of the fence, further noting that the community will not allow any attempt from KWS to take part of their ancestral land.
“If these land issues are resolved it will bring peace and harmony between KWS and locals. It’s important to note these issues have been raised in many forums but there has been no action taken to resolve the matter,” he added.
Residents petitioned the committee to push for timely compensation of pending claims, for KWS to advance in responding to wildlife attacks and inclusion of locals in KWS jobs.
“Employ more locals, especially those who live near the parks. This will create good relationships, and ownership hence reducing conflict. We as the community request to be part of the National Parks through full involvement and other gains,” Wilson Mwang'ombe, a Mbololo resident said in his petition to the committee.
Mwang`ombe asked KWS to consider the Taita Taveta communities to be part of the management of wildlife for the biggest stakeholders in the country.
(Edited by V. Graham)