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The Coast Parliamentary Group (CPG) wants the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife to expedite the creation of a grazing corridor in Yakaliche Village, Garsen constituency in order to resolve the raging human-wildlife conflict.

The legislators marched to the Coast Region Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) Offices in Mombasa and presented a protest letter following the murder of an elder by KWS personnel.

Issack Jarso Delo died on December 29, 2024 in the village. According to eyewitness reports, the elder was killed in his homestead, and at Tsavo East National Park as reported by KWS.

The MPs noted that lack of corridors to allow herders to take their livestock for pasture and water in the park has exacerbated the conflict as herders endure harassment and confiscation of their livestock by KWS.

CPG Secretary General and Matuga MP, Kassim Tandaza, condemned the killing of the elder. He accused the Director General of KWS of not heeding the Head of State’s call for harmonious coexistence between the community and wildlife when he visited Tana River.

“Most of the time water scarcity is the big challenge, herders want to take their livestock in parks. The President ordered KWS to create corridors for the livestock to get water. Livestock is one of the country’s resources and a source of livelihood for our people,” said Tandaza.

Similar cases

He wondered why the DCI was dragging their feet in the case yet the person who killed the elder was known and villagers had written statements.

Tandaza noted that a similar case happened in Kwale but the officer involved was interdicted instead of undergoing trial to serve as a deterrence measure.

Mombasa senator Mohamed Faki defended Garsen MP Ali Wario against incitement accusations by KWS.

“He has been singled out and accused of inciting the community, but when he addresses issues affecting his constituents it is his responsibility as MP,” said Faki.

In its press release posted on X on December 30, 2024, KWS had accused the MP of inciting a section of the community “to illegally invade within the park with the promises of acquiring land.’’

Garsen MP Ali Wario lauded the DCI for confiscating all 23 guns from KWS for ballistic examinations in Nairobi, but wanted the officer involved to be charged and the family to get justice.

“The President issued a directive 15 kilometres from where the elder was killed for KWS to implement a grazing corridor they have not acted,” insisted Wario.