Victims of human-wildlife conflict receive Ksh2.8B
By Oliver Musembi, June 9, 2025Victims of human-wildlife conflict (HWC) have been paid over Ksh2.8 billion as compensation, Conservation Secretary, State Department for Wildlife, John Chumo has said.
Chumo explained that the drive has seen the pending bills reduce from Ksh4.1 billion inherited two years ago to about Ksh2.3 billion currently, hence easing years of pain and anguish for victims and their families.
Speaking during a stakeholder meeting at Mangu High School, Chumo said each year, the government disburses close to Ksh1 billion to victims, with Ksh950 million so far disbursed this year.
“We intend to boost the settlements in the coming years to fully clear all the pending bills. This aggressive compensation drive can be attributed to a well-streamlined database for victims, and the government’s goodwill to the victims,” Chumo added.
The official said since the Kenya Kwanza administration took over, there have been rigorous compensation efforts for human-wildlife conflict victims, noting that two years ago, the pending bills were Ksh4.1 billion.
“Several victims were suffering due to compensation delays. After establishing a streamlined database of victims, we have paid Ksh2.8 billion in the last two years. Going forward, we hope the amount will be boosted to target more beneficiaries,” the official stated.
Noting that compensation cannot be enough, Chumo said the State Department has also embarked on mitigation measures to curb human-wildlife conflict, including fencing of game parks and game reserves.
Other measures, he said, are building water pans and boreholes at the animal habitats to ensure the wildlife does not come out in search of water in areas where people reside.
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