Victims of wildlife conflict urged to claim share of Sh3.8 billion fund
KWS called on individuals impacted by wildlife-related incidents to follow up on their claims and receive what they are entitled to under the national program.
Victims of human-wildlife conflict have been urged to take advantage of the government’s compensation programme, following the disbursement of Sh3.8 billion since 2023 to support those affected across the country.
In a statement issued on Monday, May 12, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) called on individuals impacted by wildlife-related incidents to follow up on their claims and receive what they are entitled to under the national program.
"It was noted that in the year 2023, the government released Ksh908 million to the State Department for Wildlife for payment of HWC compensation, while in 2024 Ksh960 million was released and in 2025 Ksh1.95 billion has been provided for compensating victims of HWC," read the KWS statement.
"This amount totals to Ksh3.8 billion, being the single largest amount for money released by government to pay HWC compensation,"
The agency highlighted that a recent payout of Sh64 million in Kajiado marks part of the broader compensation effort and is aimed at encouraging eligible victims to take action.
"Therefore, victims of human-wildlife conflict are encouraged to reach out to the State Department for Wildlife to follow up on their compensation claims and receive the support available under the ongoing national program," the statement added.
The government’s compensation initiative has come under renewed focus just days after the Ministry of Tourism disclosed that Sh2.8 billion has already been paid out over the last two years under the current administration.
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano explained that there is still a backlog of compensation claims that need to be addressed, with the amount pending standing at more than Sh1.36 billion as of February 2023.
"The government has so far paid out Ksh2.8 billion in compensation since the current administration took office, leaving a balance of Ksh1.36 billion yet to be disbursed. However, challenges such as funding shortfalls, manual claim verification delays, and unresolved legacy claims dating back to 2014 have hampered faster resolution," she said.
The Ministry further detailed that Sh908 million was paid in the 2023/24 fiscal year, followed by Sh950 million in the 2024/25 period.
At the same time, about 20,000 claims are still pending at the county level and await processing, according to the Ministry.
The call by KWS is aimed at ensuring more affected Kenyans come forward and benefit from the funds already allocated under the program.
