Government launches digital compensation system to support victims of human-wildlife conflict
The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has officially launched a national verification and compensation exercise for victims of Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC), signaling a major policy shift, aimed at delivering faster, more transparent, and efficient payouts to victims in affected communities across the country.
Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Rebecca Miano unveils the system, marking a significant policy shift in how the state manages claims related to wildlife-induced injuries, deaths, and property destruction. The initiative comes amid rising tensions in wildlife-rich regions, where residents often suffer silently in the shadow of thriving conservation efforts.
“This isn’t just an upgrade in how we process claims—it’s a statement that the government sees, hears, and stands with those living at the frontline of conservation,” Miano stated during a press briefing in Nairobi.
Piloted in six counties, the digital platform harnesses real-time data and integrates mobile money services such as M-Pesa to streamline claim verification and payment—particularly for lower-value claims. So far, over Ksh 10 million has been disbursed, with 804 additional cases lined up for settlement.
The system also revives Community Wildlife Compensation Committees (CWCCs), empowering local representatives to play a greater role in validating claims. This grassroots approach is expected to reduce bureaucratic delays, curb corruption, and enhance the credibility of the compensation process.
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However, despite the technological leap, the scale of need remains immense. According to CS Miano, over 20,000 claims are still pending, and the government faces a compensation backlog of Ksh 1.36 billion. In 2023 alone, Kenya recorded a staggering 8,272 human-wildlife conflict incidents—the highest in recent years.
Principal Secretary for Wildlife Sylvia Museiya acknowledged the transformative potential of digital systems but emphasized that inadequate funding from the National Treasury continues to be a major bottleneck in delivering timely compensation.
To address this, the government is strengthening the Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund and pursuing partnerships with the private sector to stabilize financial flows. In parallel, public consultations are underway for the Wildlife Conservation and Management Bill 2025—a proposed legal overhaul that aims to enhance community benefits and expand Kenya’s wildlife economy.
“This is a shared story—of loss, resilience, and the hope for coexistence,” Miano added. “We cannot do it alone.”
A nationwide awareness campaign is ongoing to educate communities on the new system, culminating in a major compensation event scheduled for May 26 in Meru County.
As Kenya walks the tightrope between conservation and community welfare, the new digital compensation system stands as a bold step toward justice, equity, and coexistence for those living closest to the wild.
