By Njeri Irungu.
Nairobi, 7th May 2025 – The Kenyan government has introduced a groundbreaking digital compensation system designed to address the longstanding challenges faced by victims of human-wildlife conflict. Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Rebecca Miano, EGH, announced the new model today, marking a significant shift toward transparency, efficiency, and fairness in compensating affected communities.
For decades, Kenya’s rich biodiversity has coexisted with human settlements, often leading to conflicts that have left communities bearing heavy losses. While wildlife conservation remains a pillar of the nation’s tourism-driven economy, the government acknowledges that those living near wildlife habitats have paid a high price. The newly launched digital system aims to rectify past inefficiencies by streamlining claim processing through real-time data collection, verification, and direct payments, including mobile transfers for smaller claims.
Since its pilot phase in six counties, the system has already disbursed KSh 10 million to beneficiaries, with an additional 804 claims set to be processed shortly. This approach not only accelerates compensation but also restores trust in conservation efforts by ensuring accountability. To further enhance fairness, the government has revived County-level Community Wildlife Compensation Committees, empowering local stakeholders to verify claims and reduce bureaucratic delays.
Compensation rates have also been revised to reflect current economic realities. While the 2013 Wildlife Conservation and Management Act set compensation for human death at KSh 5 million, the government has since disbursed over KSh 4.8 billion in claims, including KSh 2.8 billion under the current administration. However, with 20,000 pending claims and a backlog of KSh 1.36 billion, CS Miano emphasized the urgency of sustained action.
Human-wildlife conflict incidents have surged in recent years, reaching a record 8,272 cases in 2023. Despite this, funding for victims remains insufficient. The government has called on the media to join a nationwide awareness campaign, amplifying the voices of affected communities and advocating for increased resources. A major compensation drive is underway, culminating in a high-profile event in Meru County on 26th May 2025.
CS Miano urged journalists and content creators to document the impact of the new system, engage with beneficiaries, and promote stories that foster empathy and policy change. “True conservation cannot succeed without the support of those who live alongside wildlife,” she said. “This new model ensures that Kenyans are no longer left to shoulder the burden alone.”
The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has invited media partners to collaborate in shaping a narrative that shifts Kenya’s conservation efforts from conflict to coexistence.
