The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to compensating victims of human-wildlife conflict (HWC), with the State Department for Wildlife revealing that approximately KSh960 million was disbursed to beneficiaries across the country during the 2025/2026 financial year.
Principal Secretary for Wildlife Silvia Museiya said KSh64.126 million of the funds went to beneficiaries in Kajiado County, which continues to experience challenges arising from human-wildlife conflict.
Museiya and Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano appeared before the National Assembly’s Public Petitions Committee to respond to Public Petition No. 4 of 2026, presented by Kajiado West MP George Sunkuiya.
The petition seeks improved government interventions to address the impact of human-wildlife conflict on communities in Kajiado County.
Museiya said the Government has progressively increased funding for compensation as it works to clear a backlog of claims that had accumulated over several years.
“The Government has progressively allocated resources towards HWC compensation. In 2025/2026, the State Department for Wildlife disbursed approximately KSh960 million nationwide, including KSh64.126 million to beneficiaries in Kajiado County,” she said.
CS Miano said the Government had made deliberate efforts over the past four years to address the compensation backlog, which had accumulated over approximately a decade.
She said annual budgetary allocations had enabled the Government to settle a significant portion of outstanding claims, with the aim of eventually ensuring that compensation is paid as claims fall due.
“Over the past four years there has been a deliberate effort in this administration, led by His Excellency the President. Every single year, the budget has allocated funds for HWC compensation without fail,” Miano said.
She added that the Government hopes to be up to date with compensation payments by next year, describing the achievement as a major milestone.
However, members of the Public Petitions Committee raised concerns over transparency and accountability in the identification and payment of beneficiaries.
The legislators said greater openness was necessary to build confidence among communities affected by wildlife-related incidents and ensure that compensation reaches genuine beneficiaries.
In response, Museiya said the State Department had taken steps to make the compensation process more transparent and public.
She said the Government has been conducting public compensation exercises in areas affected by human-wildlife conflict, including Voi in Taita Taveta, Rumuruti in Laikipia and Meru.
The PS also assured the committee that the Ministry would provide, through the Clerk of the National Assembly, a comprehensive list of beneficiaries in Kajiado County who have received HWC compensation.
Beyond compensation, government officials said addressing human-wildlife conflict sustainably requires a broader approach.
This includes preventing wildlife incidents, strengthening rapid response mechanisms, managing wildlife habitats and corridors, involving communities, ensuring equitable benefit sharing and improving land-use planning.
The Government is also reviewing the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act and the Tourism Act to ensure the legal framework responds to emerging challenges and supports Kenya’s development aspirations beyond 2030.
The review is expected to strengthen conservation and management systems while improving coordination among institutions involved in addressing human-wildlife conflict.
For communities living alongside wildlife, the Government says improved compensation, prevention and community participation will be critical in reducing conflict and building support for wildlife conservation.
