Residents of Homa Bay County have urged the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to enhance corporate social responsibility programmes in the county.
The residents spoke Wednesday during a public participation forum conducted by the KWS at Tom Mboya University in Homa Bay Town.
The forum was meant to gather public views on the review of fees charged at various parks in the country.
KWS Senior Assistant Director in charge of the Western Conservation Area Josphat Erupe noted that the park charges had not been reviewed since 2007 hence it was necessary for the KWS to review the park fees since inflation had eroded the value of the current fees.
In Homa Bay, the participants gave the KWS the nod to review the charges but urged the agency to give back to the local communities.
The residents decried a situation where park fees are increased yet KWS does not undertake services benefiting the locals commensurate with the increase.
Simon Ojwang of Rachuonyo South Sub-county said they expect the increased fee to come with better services.
“KWS reviewed the park fees 18 years ago; hence, we agree that the fees should be reviewed but we expect to feel the benefits of the enhanced charges,” Ojwang said.
He said the expected services included prompt compensation of human-wildlife conflict victims.
“We want the victims to be compensated adequately and promptly after the park fees are increased,” Ojwang said.
Silius Odhiambo, a resident of Suba South Sub-county, stressed the need for KWS to improve on corporate social responsibility targeting the community neighbouring a park.
The KWS Trustee Francis Chachu said that the agency was committed to serving the welfare of all Kenyans.
He said a comparative analysis with similar agencies in the neighbouring countries puts KWS ahead of the rest in protecting the welfare of citizens.
He said that it was only in Kenya where the KWS compensates people who are killed by wild animals.
By Davis Langat
