Kenyans living near water bodies will henceforth be eligible for government compensation in case of physical attacks from certain aquatic animals.
This is after the National Assembly passed the Wildlife Conservation and Management (Amendment) Bill, which sought to include sharks, stone fish, whales, and sting rays among the wildlife species whose attacks leading to death and injuries could necessitate compensation.
The bill, sponsored by Lamu East MP Ruweida Obo, seeks to ensure that individuals living near water bodies are entitled to compensation in cases of death or injury caused by specific wildlife species.
Previously, the compensation list only covered crocodiles in cases of human injury or death, and hippos in cases of property damage.
Only attacks by eight animals leading to injuries or death necessitated compensation: elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, hyenas, crocodiles, cheetahs, and buffalo.
In cases where animal attacks led to damage to crops, livestock, or other property, six more animals were added to the list, bringing the number to 14.
These animals included hippos, zebras, elands, snakes, and wild dogs. The new list brings the total to 18.
This regulatory update comes at a pivotal time, as the Kenyan government has begun implementing a new system to aid in the prompt compensation of human-wildlife conflict victims.
On May 13, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) released a statement informing Kenyans how they could lay claims in the event of such attacks.
The KWS Director General, Erustus Kanga, urged victims of human-wildlife conflicts and their families to report the cases as soon as they occur to enable the government to process compensation claims quickly.
"The cases can be reported at KWS offices or at the State Department of Wildlife, which manages the compensation process and allocates funds based on verified claims from victims of wildlife attacks or damages," he stated.
This came as the government intensified efforts to address the rising incidents of wildlife-related deaths, injuries and loss of property, in a countrywide campaign that ended in Meru County.
