On October 15, 2025, President William Ruto assented to the Wildlife Conservation and Management (Amendment) Bill 2023, one of eight new laws signed that day, marking a major milestone for Kenya’s coastal communities, particularly fishermen who face risks from dangerous marine wildlife.
Before the Amendment, the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act primarily addressed compensation for victims of terrestrial wildlife attacks, leaving injuries and deaths caused by marine species outside the legal framework. The new law fundamentally shifts how wildlife compensation is understood by formally recognizing threats that occur in Kenya’s oceans.
The historic legislation was sponsored by Lamu East Member of Parliament Captain Ruweida Obo. It explicitly extends compensation to cover injuries and fatalities caused by sharks, stonefish, whales and stingrays, species that had previously been excluded from Kenya’s wildlife compensation regime.
“This legislation corrects a historical oversight that left our coastal communities vulnerable,” Captain Obo said in an exclusive interview following the President’s assent to the Bill. She noted that communities in Lamu East, particularly in the Boni area, have long coexisted with marine wildlife without the safety net enjoyed by those exposed to land-based wildlife threats.
According to the legislator, the passage of the bill represents more than a policy adjustment. It signifies official recognition of the daily realities faced by fishing communities and others whose livelihoods require constant interaction with potentially dangerous marine species.
Captain Obo further observed that the law strengthens the President’s broader commitment to advancing Kenya’s Blue Economy agenda. By safeguarding fishermen and marine workers, the amendment supports efforts to transform the country’s largely small-scale fishing industry into a competitive global player.
The amendment ensures that compensation will be paid from the Wildlife Compensation Fund established under the principal Act, thereby creating a tangible financial safety net for affected individuals and families. This provision is particularly significant for marginalized coastal communities that have limited economic alternatives beyond marine based livelihoods.
“I extend my profound gratitude to President William Ruto for recognizing the urgency of this matter and giving his assent to this critical legislation,” Obo said. She added that the President’s action demonstrates a government that listens to all Kenyans, including those in regions whose voices have historically been muted in national discourse.
The Lamu East MP said the Assent reflects the administration’s commitment to inclusive development and aligns with wider efforts to address long standing regional disparities in protection, opportunity and economic support. She described the move as an example of responsive leadership that balances human dignity with conservation goals.
Beyond its immediate compensation provisions, the law carries deep symbolic and practical significance. For decades, communities living near oceans and other water bodies existed in a legal grey area, where wildlife incidents on land attracted compensation while similar tragedies at sea did not.
“This bill fundamentally redefines who counts in Kenya’s conservation narrative,” Obo said. She emphasised that the country’s relationship with wildlife does not end at the shoreline and that citizens who interact with marine ecosystems deserve equal protection.
The legislation also sets a precedent for more nuanced wildlife policies that reflect Kenya’s diverse geographical realities. Lamu-based lawyer Fred Soita, said the amendment could pave the way for broader protections that account for the full spectrum of human wildlife interactions across the country.
With presidential assent secured, attention now turns to implementation. The Kenya Wildlife Service will be required to develop clear protocols for verifying and processing claims linked to marine wildlife incidents, a process Captain Obo has pledged to monitor closely.
Omar Shebwana, Secretary of the Blue Economy Network Kenya, welcomed the amendment, saying it strikes a careful balance by extending human protections without undermining wildlife conservation efforts.
Stakeholders say effective implementation will determine whether the law delivers lasting justice for coastal communities nationwide equity.
By Amenya Ochieng
