- Lawmakers will determine whether there is need for further introduction of legislative measures.
- MPs will further determine whether there is need for review compensation claims of death and injuries related to human-wildlife conflict.
Image: FILE
National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife will on Thursday start a 90-day public inquiry into the extent of human-wildlife conflict across the country.
The Committee chaired by Maara MP Kareke Mbiuki will start the probe by meeting with a delegation from Taita Taveta county to receive their memorandum on the matter.
For many years, residents of Taita Taveta have endured the constant nightmare of human-wildlife conflict.
The region is surrounded by Tsavo East and West national parks and has seen numerous incidents of conflict between man and beast.
In an advertisement inviting views from the public, the committee noted that then Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage Peninah Malonza while responding to questions on the floor of the House on August 16, 2023, highlighted that human-wildlife conflict is widespread across the country.
“The Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife has resolved to conduct an inquiry into the human-wildlife conflict to develop a comprehensive resolution that embraces public interest, the conservation of wildlife, and sustainable development,” the advert read.
The committee will carry out an analysis of the scope of incidences in relation to human-wildlife conflicts and get first-hand accounts from the affected and afflicted families.
It will further determine if there had been any compensation since the enactment of the Wildlife and Conservation Management Act 2013 before the exclusion of marine life compensations by the National Assembly in 2019.
“The committee will seek statistical data from the exercise, draw conclusions and build a case and justification for the inclusion of the marine life compensation as was envisioned and entrenched in the Wildlife and Conservation Management Act 2013,” the advert said.
Members of the committee will consider the viability of the existing compensation rates and the efficacy of the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife and KWS in the provision of services for the well-being of the marine populace and their adherence to their core mandates;
They will determine whether there is need for further introduction of legislative measures including a review of the existing laws to align with the changing times; review compensation claims of death and injuries related to human-wildlife conflict; and recommend necessary legislative interventions.