Taita Taveta County has received a significant boost in efforts to manage human-wildlife conflicts, with the national government allocating millions to compensate affected residents and implement long-term preventive measures. During a victims’ compensation event in Mwatate on Thursday, Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano announced that over Sh3.8 billion has been dedicated in the last three years to support communities affected by wildlife incursions. The event was attended by local leaders, including Taita Taveta Deputy Governor Christine Kilalo, Members of the County Assembly, and representatives from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). Residents who suffered losses from wildlife attacks were provided with compensation, highlighting the government’s commitment to addressing a longstanding challenge in the county.
The initiative includes both financial redress and practical mitigation strategies. CS Miano highlighted that, in addition to monetary compensation, the government is implementing electric fencing projects and constructing water pans within park boundaries to reduce wildlife encroachment into human settlements. The county alone received Sh70 million in 2024 and Sh45 million in 2025, with 22 residents already benefitting from the payments this year. KWS Director General Dr. Erastus Kanga explained that Taita Taveta is the second most affected county in the country, and the new measures, such as the Bura-Kamtonga-Mgeno and Mgeno-Sagalla-Kasigau fences, aim to prevent further losses while maintaining wildlife conservation efforts.
Local leaders welcomed the interventions but called for faster, more accessible compensation processes and closer collaboration with communities. Deputy Governor Kilalo urged the creation of an emergency fund to assist residents injured while awaiting compensation and recommended reviewing the Wildlife Compensation Act to cover smaller but destructive animals like snakes, baboons, and monkeys. CS Miano reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a united approach that balances community welfare with wildlife protection. Looking ahead, these measures are expected to strengthen community resilience, improve livelihoods near conservation areas, and provide a sustainable framework for coexisting with Kenya’s diverse wildlife.