State Department for Wildlife

09/07/2026

Today, the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, through the State Department for Wildlife, issued compensation cheques to victims of human-wildlife conflict in Nyandarua County, reaffirming the Government's commitment to supporting affected communities and promoting peaceful coexistence between people and wildlife. A total of 61 beneficiaries amounting to Ksh. 11M will benefit in this year's allocation.

As part of long-term measures to reduce human-wildlife conflict, the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife also officially launched the translocation of hippopotamuses from Makindu Dam to Nakuru National Park. The Cabinet Secretary further announced that the Government will commence the fencing of Makindu Dam immediately after the translocation exercise to prevent future wildlife incursions and enhance the safety of surrounding communities.

In addition, the Cabinet Secretary donated water storage tanks to four schools in Nyandarua County to improve access to clean water and support a conducive learning environment for pupils.

07/07/2026

27/06/2026

A total of 106 out of 167 residents in Laikipia County are set to receive Ksh.24.9 million under the government's wildlife compensation programme.

26/06/2026

There was joy and celebration in Endana, Laikipia County, as residents received compensation cheques for losses incurred as a result of Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC), bringing relief to families who had waited for justice for years.

The Government, through the State Department for Wildlife, issued compensation cheques to affected residents on Friday as part of its continued commitment to supporting communities impacted by wildlife-related incidents.

Speaking during the event, Kenya Wildlife AD Warden Wellington Gathungu emphasized the importance of timely and proper reporting of HWC incidents. He urged residents to submit clear photographic evidence and accurate documentation to facilitate faster verification and compensation. He noted that human-wildlife conflicts remain common as communities live in close proximity to wildlife habitats and conservancies and urged for coexistence.

Representing the Principal Secretary for Wildlife, Mr. Vincent Ongere highlighted the immense economic value of wildlife, particularly as a key driver of Kenya's tourism sector. He announced that KSh 48.9 million had been allocated for Human-Wildlife Conflict compensation in Laikipia County for the 2025/2026 financial year, benefiting 167 claimants.

Mr. Ongere acknowledged that while no amount of money can replace the loss of a loved one, compensation provides much-needed support to affected families. He called for strengthened rapid response teams, increased investment in water pans and boreholes, and closer collaboration between government agencies, conservation partners, and local communities to reduce human-wildlife conflicts.

Laikipia North MP Sarah Korere while appreciating the effort by the Government to clear the huge compensation backlog, encouraged more eligible residents to submit their details to enable seamless verification and payments of compensation.

Recently the Government introduced an online Human-Wildlife Conflict compensation system that will make it easier for claimants to report incidents, track the progress of their claims, and improve the efficiency and transparency of the compensation process.

26/06/2026

The Government, through the State Department for Wildlife, today issued KSh 49.8 million in compensation to 187 Human-Wildlife Conflict beneficiaries in Kimana Town, Kajiado County, marking another significant step in cushioning communities affected by wildlife-related incidents.

The compensation exercise was graced by Secretary Administration, Mr. Tobiko who represented PS Silvia Museiya , and witnessed by representatives from the Kenya Wildlife Service led by Amboseli Warden Paul Wambi, the National Government Administration Officers led by DCC Loitoktok Mr Tonui, and members of the local community.

Kajiado County is home to some of Kenya's most iconic wildlife landscapes and a rich cultural heritage that continues to drive conservation and tourism. As communities living alongside wildlife play a vital role in safeguarding this natural heritage, the Government remains committed to ensuring they are not left to bear the cost of conservation alone.

The issuance of these compensation cheques reflects the Government's continued commitment to mitigating the impacts of Human-Wildlife Conflict, restoring livelihoods, and strengthening trust between conservation agencies and local communities. It is a demonstration that conservation and community well-being must go hand in hand.

As we continue implementing sustainable solutions to Human-Wildlife Conflict, we reaffirm our commitment to building a future where people and wildlife coexist peacefully, ensuring that Kenya's rich biodiversity remains a source of opportunity, resilience, and pride for generations to come

26/06/2026

Beautiful KWS Amboseli National Park

17/06/2026

The State Department for Wildlife today joined the international community in commemorating World Desertification and Drought Day 2026, with Kenya hosting the global observance in Vipingo, Kilifi County, in collaboration with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) under the theme, "Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore."

The event underscored the critical importance of rangelands in strengthening climate resilience, enhancing food and water security, conserving biodiversity, and preserving the cultural heritage of pastoralist and Indigenous communities. Kenya’s hosting of this year’s global observance demonstrates the country’s steadfast commitment to combating land degradation, building drought resilience, restoring ecosystems, and supporting communities that rely on dryland and rangeland ecosystems.

The ceremony was presided over by Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki and brought together national and county government leaders, development partners, conservation stakeholders, and representatives of international organizations to reaffirm their shared commitment to sustainable land management and ecosystem restoration.

In line with the Government’s commitment to promoting human-wildlife coexistence and supporting affected communities, the Deputy President presented Human-Wildlife Conflict compensation cheques totaling KSh 54 million to 67 beneficiaries from Kilifi County who had incurred losses arising from wildlife-related incidents.

The commemoration also highlighted the urgent need for coordinated action to address land degradation, strengthen drought resilience, and restore degraded rangelands in order to protect livelihoods, conserve biodiversity, and advance sustainable development.
Ministry of Environment, Climate Change & Forestry
Dr. Eng. Festus Ng’eno Kithure Kindiki Kilifi County Government
Silvia Museiya Hon. Rebecca Miano, EGH Kenya Wildlife Service

17/06/2026

Rangelands, Recognize, Recognize, Restore

10/06/2026

The Government today issued cheques worth Ksh. 116,676,626 to 206 victims of Human Wildlife Conflicts in Mara Siana Conservancy in Narok County.

Representing the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, the Secretary Administration Tobiko Nayioma commended the community for protecting the pride of Kenyan heritage- the Big 5.

He noted that no amount of compensation is worth a lost life and highlighted the mitigation measures being put in place by the Government to prevent death and minimize conflicts.

They include: fast tracking digging of water pans and boreholes; er****on of electric fence, increasing community conservancies, restoration of degraded conservancies, and enhancing awareness creation among members of the public on matters HWC.

The Government also donated water tanks to surrounding schools and the community.

This compensation programme is part of the 960m allocated to the State Department for Wildlife in the current financial year and is expected to increase to 1.4b in the next financial year.

Present during the event was the deputy governor Koech Tiamilel, National Government Administration Officers, KWS, WWF, NGAAF,,The Cheetah Project, area MCA, and representatives from community conservancies among others.

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03/06/2026

As part of its corporate social responsibility and commitment to strengthening human-wildlife coexistence, the State Department for Wildlife also donated 20 water tanks to various communities across Samburu County.

The donation recognizes the county's arid and semi-arid climate, where access to water remains a major challenge for both people and livestock. By improving water storage capacity, the initiative seeks to enhance community resilience, support livelihoods, and reduce competition for water resources between humans and wildlife, a key driver of Human-Wildlife Conflict.

The water tanks will benefit households and community institutions by providing reliable water storage, particularly during prolonged dry seasons, while contributing to sustainable coexistence between communities and the wildlife that forms an integral part of Samburu's heritage.

This intervention complements the Government's broader efforts to support communities living alongside wildlife through compensation, conservation awareness, and community-based wildlife management programmes.

Silvia Museiya
Hon. Rebecca Miano, EGH
Samburu County Government