State to pay Sh1m for people killed by wildlife

Hippos relax under water. MPs say the new law would help small holder farmers living around national parks and forest reserves pick up their lives after wildlife attacks. FILE 

By EDWIN MUTAI

In Summary

• Motion seeks to have the next of kin of anyone killed by wildlife paid Sh1 million and the compensation for injuries enhanced fourfold.
• The resolution comes a day after the government tabled the Wildlife Conservation and Management Bill 2013.
• MPs said the law would help small holder farmers living around national parks and forest reserves pick up their lives after wildlife attacks.

The government will be forced to pay Sh1 million as compensation for persons killed by wild animals if a Motion passed by MPs becomes law.

Farmers too stand to be compensated fully for crops and property destroyed by wildlife.

The motion by Chuka/Igambang’ombe MP Onesmus Njuki seeks to have the next of kin of anyone killed by wildlife paid Sh1 million and the compensation for injuries enhanced fourfold.

“This House urges the government to enhance the claim for persons killed from the current Sh200,000 to Sh1 million and for those injured from Sh50,000 to Sh200,000 and also (to) consider compensating farmers for destroyed crops and property based on value,” the Motion read.

The resolution comes a day after the government tabled the Wildlife Conservation and Management Bill 2013.

MPs said the law would help small holder farmers living around national parks and forest reserves pick up their lives after wildlife attacks.

There are 23 national parks, four national marine parks, 28 national reserves, six marine reserves and four national sanctuaries in Kenya.

Destruction of crops and property by elephants is rampant in the the Mount Kenya and Aberdare national parks and forest reserves.

“Hardly a day goes by without an incident occurring between farmers and elephants in the area. Elephants from the park easily stray outside its perimeters and cause damage to the crops, domestic animals and homes and even injury and death,” Mr Njuki said.

According to the Bill, a Wildlife Regulatory Council will be created alongside county wildlife conservation and compensation committees.

A Wildlife Endowment Fund and a Wildlife Compensation Fund would also be established from where the compensation, based on market value, would be drawn.

No compensation will be paid in cases where damages occurred during illegal activities such as poaching.

Fake claims will be deterred through a fine of at least Sh100,000 or six months in jail.

The Bill provides for appeals within 30 days to the National Environment Tribunal or to the Environment and Land court.

The Environment and Natural Resources Committee will review the Bill before debate starts in the house.