Government pays Ksh.32 million to 32 wildlife conflict victims in Siaya and Kisumu

The government, through the State Department for Wildlife, has paid Ksh.32 million to 32 victims of human-wildlife conflict in Siaya and Kisumu counties.

The cheques are presented to the beneficiaries in Usigu Sub-County, with Conservation Secretary Dr. John Chumo saying 17 of those receiving compensation are from Siaya, while 15 are from Kisumu. The compensation covers families who have lost relatives in wildlife attacks, people injured by wild animals and residents whose crops or livestock have been destroyed.

Dr. Chumo says the government is working to clear the national backlog of human-wildlife conflict compensation claims by the end of 2027. He says the backlog stood at more than Ksh.4 billion when the current administration took office. Since 2023, the government has been allocating Ksh.1 billion annually for compensation and has set aside Ksh.1.4 billion for the current financial year.

The Conservation Secretary has, however, asked claimants whose cases are still under review to remain patient, saying pending claims will be settled as funds become available.

KWS Assistant Director for Kisumu, Hussein Halake, says the agency is conducting public awareness campaigns to help communities prevent human-wildlife conflict.
He says compensation should only be a last resort after measures to prevent conflict have failed.

Siaya County Warden Sheila Ochieng is also urging residents to avoid encroaching on riparian land to reduce cases of crocodile attacks and crop destruction by hippos.

Ochieng says the government is establishing a KWS post in Usigu Division to bring wildlife services closer to residents following increased cases involving hippos, crocodiles and hyenas in the region.