Victims of human-wildlife conflicts and their families should report the cases as soon as they happen to enable the government to process compensation claims quickly, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has said. "There is a need for quick reporting of cases of wildlife attacks, and proper documentation to facilitate effective processing of compensation," KWS Director General Erustus Kanga said in a statement.
Kanga added, "The cases can be reported at KWS offices or at the State Department of Wildlife, which manages the compensation process and allocates funds based on verified claims from victims of wildlife attacks or damages." This came as the government intensified efforts to address the rising incidents of wildlife-related deaths, injuries and loss of property. KWS officers conducting an exercise at a park in 2024.
Photo KWS "Therefore, victims of human-wildlife conflict (HWC) are encouraged to reach out the the State Department of Wildlife to follow up on their compensation claims and receive the support that is available under the ongoing national program," Kanga said in a statement.
During a public engagement forum at Isara, Kajiado County, the Wildlife Department announced it has disbursed a total of KShs 3.8 billion in compensation to victims of human-wildlife conflict since 2023.
