The Government on Wednesday released Sh60.38 million in compensation to 24 families in Kilifi County, whose relatives were killed in wildlife-related incidences between 2014 and 2020.  Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary (CS), Rebecca Miano, presided over the cheque issuance ceremony at the Marafa Vocational Training Centre in Magarini Sub-county, where she emphasised the government's commitment to restoring dignity and trust among bereaved families.  She was flanked by the Chairman of the Kenya Wildlife Service ( KWS) Board of Trustees, Lt.

Gen. (Rtd), Walter Raria Koipaton, KWS Director General, Prof.

Erastus Kanga, and the Wildlife Conservation Secretary in the State Department for Wildlife, Mr.

John Chumo.  The Cabinet Secretary noted that human-wildlife conflict remains a pressing issue in Kilifi, with over 1,300 incidents reported since 2021.  She regretted that the conflicts had resulted in fatalities, injuries and widespread destruction of crops.  "While wildlife is a treasured gift to our nation, we must take proactive measures to prevent these adverse interactions. "We are working to ensure animals remain within designated habitats, allowing residents to farm and conduct business without fear," said Miano.  To improve the efficiency of compensation processing, Ms Miano noted, the Ministry had launched a digital platform that enables affected individuals to file claims electronically with a view to accelerating the payment process and curb fraudulent reporting.  The Cabinet Secretary announced that plans are underway to prioritise construction of an electric fence along the Tsavo East-Kilifi boundary within the next one year, even as the Ministry and KWS deploy modern surveillance tools to facilitate rapid tracing and prompt response.  "Before the fence is finalised, we shall deploy modern surveillance tools such as drones, mobile technology and cameras to facilitate rapid response. "We are also engaging community leaders to develop grassroots-based solutions," she said.  A dispatch from the Ministry and KWS Communication teams, indicated that the government had already disbursed Sh2.8 billion in compensation nationwide to families affected between 2014 and 2020, with an additional Sh1.36 billion under processing.  Local leaders praised the government for the initiative, but emphasised the need for an electric fence to be erected between the Tsavo East National Park and Kilifi County to prevent elephants from straying from the park to invade homes and farms, a menace that is reportedly rampant in Ganze, Kaloleni and Malindi Sub Counties.  The leaders included National Assembly Majority Leader, Owen Baya, Kilifi Deputy Governor, Flora Mbetsa Chibule, Kilifi Woman Representative, Gertrude Mbeyu, Ganze MP Kenneth Kazungu Tungule and his Kaloleni counterpart Paul Katana, and immediate former Magarini MP, Harrison Garama Kombe. ‎Board Chairman Lt.