Miano Pledges Faster Compensation, Stronger Wildlife Protection Measures

Rebecca Miano has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to accelerating compensation for victims of human-wildlife conflict and strengthening conservation efforts across the country.

Speaking during the World Wildlife Day celebrations at Rimoi Primary School in Elgeyo Marakwet County, the Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary said Kenya was proud to join the global community in marking the annual event, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014 to raise awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants.

Miano said that although Kenya has made notable progress in wildlife conservation, protecting the country’s biodiversity requires collective action.

“My Ministry, the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Wildlife Research and Training Institute may not on our own realize optimum wildlife conservation and management. We need partners to augment our efforts in securing and managing these delicate resources,” she said.

She commended county governments, international agencies, embassies, non-governmental organizations, conservancies, research institutions and local communities for supporting Kenya’s wildlife agenda, noting that such collaboration has helped maintain the country’s status as a leading global wildlife tourism destination.

Addressing the persistent challenge of human-wildlife conflict, Miano announced that the government has allocated KSh21 million in the current financial year to compensate 335 individuals affected in Elgeyo Marakwet County.

“These funds will be disbursed to claimants before the end of June 2026,” she said, urging beneficiaries to update their banking details with the Kenya Wildlife Service County Warden to facilitate payment.

She added that annual budgetary allocations will continue until all pending claims nationwide are fully settled.

To improve efficiency and transparency, Miano revealed that the government is developing a national digital platform for reporting, verifying and paying compensation claims related to human-wildlife conflict. The system is expected to be rolled out countrywide by June 2026, alongside a public education campaign implemented in partnership with county governments and County Commissioners’ offices.

On policy matters, Miano reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to protecting all species and strengthening enforcement of conservation laws. She said the country remains an active participant in international agreements, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and continues to align its policies with global biodiversity targets.

Domestically, the government is scaling up ecosystem restoration initiatives and promoting community-based conservation models to ensure local communities directly benefit from wildlife resources.

“Conservation cannot succeed if communities are mere spectators. Indigenous knowledge and traditional stewardship are essential to protecting our forests and rangelands,” she said.

Miano also reiterated the government’s ban on the use of plastics in terrestrial and marine protected areas, calling on hotels, visitors and conservancy operators to comply in order to protect wildlife habitats.

“Wildlife is a brand for Kenya,” she said, noting that the lion features prominently in the country’s national emblem and wildlife imagery appears on Kenyan currency.

She urged Kenyans to remain committed custodians of the nation’s biodiversity, emphasizing that conservation is both a heritage responsibility and a cornerstone of the country’s economy.