Kenya Marks Biodiversity Day with Renewed Focus on Human-Wildlife Conflict
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By John Kariuki
Kenya commemorated the International Day for Biological Diversity in Kitui County with a strong call to balance conservation efforts with the needs of communities affected by human-wildlife conflict.
Wildlife Secretary Dr. Shadrach Ngene, speaking on behalf of Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, acknowledged the rising tension between wildlife and communities, particularly in areas where elephants, hyenas, and other species continue to encroach on farms and homes.
“These encounters result in crop destruction, livestock loss, injuries, and even deaths. The economic and emotional toll is significant and threatens to derail our national conservation goals,” Dr. Ngene stated.
Since 2023, the government has paid out over Ksh 2.3 billion in compensation under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, marking the highest disbursement in Kenya’s history. Operations of Community Wildlife Compensation Committees (CWCC) resumed on May 12, 2025, to help address pending claims.
However, CS Miano stressed that compensation alone is not enough. The ministry is advancing preventative measures, including the use of electric fencing, predator-proof enclosures, drone surveillance, early warning systems, and community-based conservation initiatives such as eco-tourism.
The government also reaffirmed its commitment to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, including the “30×30” pledge to conserve 30% of Kenya’s land and marine areas by 2030. This includes expanding conservancies, restoring wetlands, and updating wildlife laws.
“We must ensure that families bearing the brunt of wildlife conflict are not forgotten,” Miano urged. “Protecting biodiversity must go hand in hand with protecting livelihoods.”
This year’s theme, “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development,” underscored the importance of co-existence in preserving Kenya’s unique biodiversity and supporting rural communities.
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