Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Penina Malonza has called for tolerance among Kenyans to address human – wildlife conflicts.
Malonza urged citizens to peacefully co – exist with the wildlife as the government addresses the problem that has affected some parts of the country.
She said the animals equally deserve to live just like human beings hence the need to be protected them too.
The CS attributed the problem to climate change that has resulted to adverse drought in most parts of the country.
The drought, she said, has results in extreme hunger not only among human beings, but also wildlife and domestic animals.
“We have a problem due to drought after rains failed in some parts of the country. Due to the challenges, we will have conflicts with the wildlife. God created us with them,” Malonza said.
Malonza spoke during a burial ceremony in Machakos County on Friday.
She was among the leaders who attended former Machakos MP Victor Munyaka's brother’s burial at Yakamete village in Ngelani within Machakos Town Sub-county.
Meshak Makau’s burial ceremony was attended by Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi, MPs Nimrod Mbai (Kitui West), Fabian Kyule (Kangundo), Vincent Musyoka (Mwala), and Masinga’s Joshua Mwalio.
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko was among the hundreds of mourners.
The CS said minimal rainfall had caused increased human-wildlife conflict in the country.
“The challenge is due to the fact that there has been minimal rainfall in all our parks and the animals are moving in search of water and pasture,” Malonza said.
“Ningependa kuwaomba ya kwamba, tuvumiliane kidogo. Nitaangalia mambo ya wanyama, na pia ya wanadamu kwa sababu hata hawa wanyama wamewamalizia maji yenu. Kwa hivyo, tutafanya kazi pamoja,” she said.
Malonza promised to drill earth dams in parks across the country to bring an end to the conflict.
She said the drought had caused increased wildlife mortality mostly herbivore species.
The CS said such deaths were on the rise due to water and food shortages in the country.
The Kenya Wildlife Service has established a rapid response unit to patrol areas facing human – wildlife conflict across the country.
Malonzo said the government was committed to ensuring that victims of human-wildlife conflicts were compensated accordingly.
