The government has assured Human- Wildlife conflicts victims in Laikipia County that they will all be compensated, with a total of 167 people expected to benefit from a sh48.9 million payout this financial year.
Kenya wildlife Service Administration Director Vincent Ongere speaking in Edana, where he issued a Sh24.9 million cheque for compensation in the first phase, revealing that 720 residents have benefitted from Sh243.3 million since 2023.
“This financial year, a total of Sh48.9 million was approved for compensation in Laikipia county targeting to benefit 167 beneficiaries, who have been affected by Human- Wildlife conflicts incidents,” said Ongere.
The administrator said that in 2023, a total of 393 human-wildlife conflict victims in the county received a compensation worth of Sh53.5 million; 124 people benefited in 2924 with Sh71.9 million, while last year 36 people got Sh69 million.
Laikipia North Member of Parliament, Sarah Korere, lauded the government’s efforts towards compensating victims of human-wildlife conflict in the county, saying that it has been long overdue.
“Every year, we set aside a budget for compensation and everyone will be compensated across the county. It will take time and this calls for patience, if you can imagine the backlog of claims dating back to 2009, there are many and the government has achieved a milestone in compensating,” said the legislator.
Korere, however, asked KWS to ensure that cases of human-wildlife conflicts were minimised.
Laikipia county KWS Senior Warden Wellington Gathungu urged residents claiming compensation to always cooperate with the service for an easier and more transparent claim process.
By Muturi Mwangi
