Human-wildlife conflicts claims will soon be paid within seven months following the introduction of a digital claims handling system, President William Ruto said Monday.
This, he said, will avert accumulation of compensation claims that has in the past left affected Kenyans suffering for up to seven years.
Speaking during the disbursement of Sh950 million from the Human Wildlife Conflict Compensation Scheme in Meru, President Ruto said a further Sh950 million will be paid in the next financial year.
According to Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, the compensation claims stood at Sh4.16 billion in February 2023.
In the last two years, the government has paid Sh2.8 billion while claimants are still owed Sh1.3 billion.
In Meru County, more than 500 human-wildlife conflict victims and families have received Sh130 million since 2022.
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Director-General Erastus Kanga said 40 deaths and 77 serious injuries caused by wildlife were recorded between January and March 2025 countrywide, pointing to the gravity of the conflict.
"During the period between January and March 2025 we responded to 3857 incidences of human wildlife conflict.
We also handled 1532 cases of crop destruction and 632 incidents of livestock predation," Dr Kanga said.
To achieve the seven months turnaround time, President Ruto said the ministry has deployed officers to work alongside Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) rangers to ensure human-wildlife conflict reports are done within 90 days.
"Once the report is ready, the government will work towards paying the claims within four months," President Ruto said.
He added, "It is not fair for Kenyans to wait for compensation for seven years after losing their loved ones, crops or livestock. I have instructed the ministry to change it's modus operandi and this is why we digitised the payment system. It is sad that some of those being compensated today have waited for since 2014."
He said the government is also fast tracking benefit sharing between the counties and national governments.
"In most cases, the human-wildlife conflict thrive because Kenyans do not see the value of the wild animals
This is why we must do justice by paying on time and sharing revenue with the counties," Dr Ruto said.
Meru governor Isaac Mutuma said talks are in advanced stages to develop a benefit sharing agreement.
Besides compensation, Dr Ruto said his administration was investing in preventive measures to reduce the costly conflicts.
He said the recent employment of 1500 game rangers will boost the management of wildlife in the country and enhance response incase of invasions.
"To ensure the wild animals are safe and to improve response, we are also providing more vehicles. Last year, KWS acquired 100 vehicles for surveillance to contain the human wildlife conflict," he said.
The president also said the digitisation of national park entry fees collection was part of the administration's strategy to boost conservation.
"By collecting entry fees through the E-Citizen, the KWS collections increased from Sh5.3 billion to Sh7 billion.
This will enable us employ more rangers to safeguard our heritage," Dr Ruto said.
Other interventions, he said include fencing off protected areas to prevent attacks.
The Head of State said the Meru National Park electric fence will be rehabilitated in the next financial year.
In effort to boost tourists inflow into the local national parks, President Ruto said the government is leasing 40 sites to investors to build hospitality facilities.
"At Meru National Park, the KWS has given three leases to set up lodges and hospitality facilities. We have also set aside Sh250 million to rehabilitate the Mulika airstrip. An additional Sh240 million is needed to complete the improvement of the airstrip. This will encourage tourists to come to the park," the president said.
These strategies, he said will contribute to his administration's ambition to increase the number of international tourists coming into the country from two million to five million.
Dr Ruto further said to facilitate local tourists, who form the bigger bulk of National Parks visitors, the government is improving access roads.
Meanwhile, President Ruto defended the ongoing construction of a conference facility at the Bomas of Kenya.
"The first conference facility to be built in Kenya is KICC which was built in 1972. We are now building a modern conference facility at Bomas of Kenya. This will bring in more tourists into the country," he said.
At the same time, Dr Ruto took a swipe at the opposition politics accusing his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua of riding on politics of hatred, division and tribalism.
"A country cannot be built by useless political rhetoric but proper development plans. We cannot play politics every day.
Such retrogressive politics has delayed and stalled the progress of Kenya for many years," he said.
