Kenya Marks International Day for Biological Diversity with Renewed Focus on Human-Wildlife Conflict
Kenya marked the International Day for Biological Diversity with a renewed national commitment to fostering harmony between people and nature.
Speaking during celebrations held in Kitui County, Wildlife Secretary Dr Shadrach Ngene who delivered a speech on behalf of Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano said there is urgent need to confront escalating human-wildlife conflicts and safeguard the country’s rich biodiversity.
“Elephants, hyenas, and other species continue to encroach on human settlements, resulting in crop destruction, livestock predation, injuries, and even fatalities,” the speech read.
It added;“These conflicts have devastating economic and psychological impacts and undermine national conservation efforts.
In response, the government has stepped up compensation measures under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013. Over Ksh 2.3 billion has been disbursed since 2023, making it the highest compensation period in Kenya’s history. Efforts to clear pending claims are ongoing, and the operations of the Community Wildlife Compensation Committees (CWCC) resumed on May 12, 2025.
While compensation is critical, Miano emphasized the importance of long-term strategies to prevent conflict. These include the installation of electric fences, deployment of predator-proof enclosures, the use of drones and early warning systems, and support for eco-tourism and community-based conservation enterprises.
Cabinet secretary also reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), particularly the 30×30 target aimed at conserving 30 percent of the country’s land and marine areas by 2030. Initiatives like expanding conservancies, restoring wetlands, and updating the Wildlife Act are already underway.
“We must ensure that families who bear the brunt of wildlife encounters do not suffer in silence,” the Cabinet Secretary urged. “Let us renew our commitment to protecting biodiversity while improving human livelihoods,” she said.
This year’s global theme, “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development,” set the tone for a ceremony that blended celebration with a sobering reflection on the challenges facing communities living alongside wildlife.