Gov't to fence off all forests to prevent human-wildlife conflict

President William Ruto has announced plans to enclose all forests and wildlife habitats, over the next five years to tackle and diminish cases of human-wildlife conflict in Kenya.

Speaking in Laikipia County on Friday during the official launch of the Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation and Compensation Scheme, Ruto acknowledged the loss of lives among Kenyans due to human-wildlife conflicts, emphasizing the urgency to mitigate such incidents.

He subsequently directed Tourism Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua and his Environment counterpart Soipan Tuya to map out areas requiring fencing and provide a cost estimate for the undertaking.

"We need to map out areas requiring fencing to ensure that, within the next five years, we can eliminate human-wildlife conflict," President Ruto said.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who was also in attendance, echoed Ruto's sentiments, highlighting the widespread nature of human-wildlife conflict across Kenya and citing instances of loss of lives and property damage due to wildlife intrusion.

At the same time, Ruto launched the construction of the 56-kilometre Lariak Forest Wildlife electric fence in Laikipia County in response to the escalating human-wildlife conflicts in the area, with the project expected to be completed within six months.

"We are addressing the human-wildlife conflict to enhance tourism and guarantee the coexistence of nature and communities adjacent to our parks," he said. 

He further instructed the Ministry of Tourism to expedite compensation for Kenyans owed millions by the State as a result of human-wildlife conflicts, noting that the outstanding payment of Ksh.3 billion to 7,000 individuals should be cleared in the next 60 days.