Senators have launched a probe into the impact of the current drought on wildlife across the country.
Legislators are seeking to establish the number of mortalities of wildlife, mostly zebras and elephants that are a result of the ongoing drought.
The lawmakers want the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage to state the measures it has taken to curb the rising human and wildlife conflict as animals move into villages in search of food.
While seeking a statement from the Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialisation and Tourism, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei wants the ministry to state whether it has conducted an aerial census on wildlife in game reserves to get a broader view of the impact of the drought
“Ministry should also state immediate measures it has taken to avert more deaths of the wildlife in our national parks,” he said.
The lawmaker said the ministry should further state the estimated amount required to mitigate the impact of drought.
“We need to know what the ministry has done to restock the rhino sanctuary in Tsavo West National Park and other overstocked rhino sanctuaries to prevent the death of these rare species resulting from the drought,” he said.
Kenya Metrological Department has warned of a failed rain season in October-December, which will in effect make the drought situation worse.
Already 4.35 million people are in dire need of food, with the number likely to rise in the coming months.
Kenya is among the three countries in the Horn of Africa facing the worst drought in decades occasioned by the below-average rainfall.
