State unveils bold plan to curb Human-Wildlife conflict in Taita Taveta

In a bold move to address rising human-wildlife conflict, the government has unveiled a nationwide strategy, with Taita Taveta County, one of Kenya’s hardest-hit regions.

The initiative promises faster compensation for affected residents, stronger conflict mitigation, and increased community involvement in conservation efforts.

Over the past 15 years, Kenya has recorded nearly 60,000 human-wildlife conflict cases. Taita Taveta emerged as a hotspot due to its proximity to Tsavo East and West National Parks and its role as a transboundary conservation corridor with Tanzania.

“To tackle the crisis, the government has disbursed a record Sh2.8 billion in compensation since 2023, the highest amount under the Kenya Kwanza administration,” said Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Hon Rebecca Miano.

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The CS During a high-level public engagement in Taita Taveta, the CS outlined key mitigation strategies:

Electric fencing will be installed to protect farms and settlements from wildlife encroachment. The Expansion of access roads ensures a swift response to conflict zones.

Provision of water sources inside wildlife habitats and reducing seasonal migration into human-occupied areas.

Miano also announced a major compensation milestone, with Sh45,409,120 disbursed to 22 claimants from Taita Taveta County, as part of an ongoing effort to clear the national backlog of verified claims.

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Director General Prof Erastus Kanga, addressing the same gathering, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to long-term solutions, stating:

"These measures reflect a balanced strategy, securing communities while protecting Kenya’s unique wildlife heritage".

He said KWS remains at the forefront of science-based, community-sensitive conservation, ensuring that people and wildlife thrive.

Miano emphasised the need for strengthened partnerships between national and county governments, conservation organizations, and local communities to promote peaceful coexistence between people and wildlife.

"His Excellency President William Ruto has been unwavering in his commitment to the welfare of communities living near protected areas, and this is just the beginning," she affirmed.

As the government deepens its focus on sustainable conservation, affected communities are set to benefit from more structured interventions, rapid compensation, and stronger protective measures.

This initiative marks a turning point in Kenya’s approach to human-wildlife conflict management, proving that conservation must go hand in hand with justice, equity, and community well-being.