The proposed Wildlife Bill will allow private landowners to legally establish wildlife conservancies and engage in wildlife-based enterprises, opening up new opportunities for communities to participate in Kenya’s growing wildlife economy.
Speaking during World Elephant Day celebrations at Gatundia Day Secondary School in Laikipia County, Conservation Secretary Dr. John Chumo, who represented the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, said the proposed legislation is part of Government efforts to strengthen wildlife conservation while creating economic opportunities for communities living alongside wildlife.
Chumo said the legislation would encourage more landowners to embrace conservation by enabling them to derive economic benefits from wildlife on their land.
The celebrations held under the theme, “Be More Like Elephants: Advancing Human-Elephant Coexistence through Community Partnerships, Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods.” brought together Government officials, conservation partners and local communities to reaffirm their commitment to wildlife protection and addressing human-wildlife conflict.
Chumo also raised concern over the increasing hunting of small wildlife species, including dik-diks and hares, for bushmeat, warning that the practice threatens biodiversity and undermines conservation efforts.
He urged communities to protect all wildlife species, noting that conserving smaller animals is equally important as protecting elephants and other iconic species.
He added, the Government remains committed to strengthening conservation through collaboration with communities, county governments and conservation partners, noting that successful wildlife conservation must balance environmental protection with the livelihoods of people living near wildlife habitats.
Senior Assistant Director at the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Aden Kala, said the agency had relocated 12 problematic elephants from the area to minimise crop destruction and damage to property.
Kala appealed to communities to work closely with KWS officers by promptly reporting wildlife incidents and following the legal compensation process for losses caused by wildlife.
He cautioned against fraudulent compensation claims, saying they delay the processing of genuine cases and undermine the integrity of the compensation programme.
KWS officials also highlighted ongoing investment in wildlife protection infrastructure, including the 125-kilometre Great Laikipia Fence, which protects elephant migration corridors with support from conservation partner Space for Giants.
Speaking on behalf of local residents, David Koskei, a Community Representative in the County Wildlife Conservation and Compensation Committee, called for faster processing of compensation claims for victims of human-wildlife conflict.
Koskei said the 56-kilometre Rumuruti Forest fence had helped reduce human-wildlife conflict but noted that inadequate funding for maintenance remained a challenge.
He called for additional support to equip youth involved in fence maintenance through a partnership between KWS and the Laikipia County Government.
The annual World Elephant Day celebrations underscored the need to conserve Kenya’s elephant population while promoting sustainable development, community participation and long-term solutions to human-wildlife conflict in Laikipia County.
By Antony Mwangi
