The State Department for Wildlife, under the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, has conducted a public participation forum in Kisii to review the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (CAP 376).
The exercise is part of a nationwide initiative that aims to align the Act with the Constitution and clarify the roles of different levels of government as well as address emerging issues in the wildlife sector.
Speaking during the forum held at Kisii Cultural Hall in Kisii town, the Department’s Team Leader Simon Agunja highlighted the various amendments that outline human-wildlife conflict management, the roles of the county and national governments and compensation mechanisms for victims of human-wildlife conflict.
Kisii Central Senior Deputy County Commissioner Joseph Mwangi, who opened the forum, urged the participants to provide feedback on the Act even though wildlife conflict was not common in the region.
While submitting their views, Sophia Omote, a resident of Bogeka ward, decried the increased destruction of crops by monkeys in her area, a sentiment that was shared by other participants.
Omote proposed that monkeys should be included in the wildlife species that are eligible for compensation.
Currently, the 3rd schedule of the Act points out specific wildlife species where compensation may be paid if the animals cause crop destruction, and they include lion, buffalo, wildebeest, leopard, hippos, rhinos, elephants, hyena, zebra, crocodile, snakes and wild dogs.
Another resident, John Amisi, proposed compensation for those affected by wildlife conflict to be done by committees at the sub-county level as opposed to the county level as currently stipulated in the Act.
He also requested that the Act be translated into Swahili for better understanding by the general public for inclusivity purposes.
The Wildlife Conservation and Management Act 2025 seeks to enhance economic opportunities linked to wildlife by incorporating public participation to improve its implementation and impact.
It intends to educate and bring awareness to the public, especially the youth, in wildlife conservation.
The bill also spells out penalties against offences caused to wildlife, such as poaching, bushmeat trade and trafficking of rare animal species, with the offences leading to long-term imprisonment sentences, heavy fines or both.
The Ministry’s public forums are running from May 7 to May 25 countrywide, and the public and stakeholders can submit written memoranda via email to wildlifeact2025@tourism.go.ke.
By Sandra Orina and Gideon Gwaro
