The national government has launched the Sable Antelope Recovery and Action Plan 2024-34 to protect the rare species from becoming extinct.
The plan was launched on Monday by Tourism and Wildlife CS Alfred Mutua during World Wildlife Day at Shimba Hills National Reserve headquarters in Kwale county.
The plan provides a legal framework to ensure the endangered sable antelope is protected.
Sable antelopes, mostly found at Shimba Hills National Reserve, have significantly declined in the past three decades due to poaching and drought.
According to the Kenya Wildlife Service, their number has plummeted from 265 in 1960 to 56 in the last census.
Other endangered species are roan antelope, with the only remnant population being found at Ruma National Park, and eastern mountain bongo, found in Aberdare, certain sections of Mt Kenya, Eburu and Maasai Mau Forests, and a captive population at Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy.
Mutua said the government will continue to partner with stakeholders to ensure all endangered species and wildlife are protected.
“Tourists come to see these animals and they pay,” he said.
The CS said the government is planning to allocate more than Sh300 million to erect an improved electric fence across national reserves to curb human-wildlife conflict.
The fence has been improved to 14 strands.
Mutua said the government will partner with counties and KWS to construct water dams and boreholes to end human-wildlife competition for water.
He said the government is working on releasing compensation money for the victims of human-wildlife conflict.
Mutua said the delay in releasing compensation was due to lack of money, since Kenya Kwanza administration inherited a broke country.
He warned KWS and the Kenya Forest Service officers against harassing the community but rather to peacefully coexist and assist in promoting wildlife management.
Mutua said at the Coast, his ministry and the Blue Economy department will instal floodlights along the beaches, instal CCTV cameras and buy four-wheel motorbikes to enhance security.
He said lifeguard stations will be set up on beaches to promote safety and tourism.
Mutua directed respective authorities to identify non-functioning airstrips to be marked for development to boost tourism.
“Many airstrips are not serviceable, let’s recognise and make them serviceable,” he said.
