ELGEYO MARAKWET, Kenya — Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to safeguarding Kenya’s wildlife, fast-tracking compensation for victims of human-wildlife conflict, and deepening partnerships to preserve the country’s natural heritage.
Speaking during World Wildlife Day celebrations at Rimoi Primary School, Miano highlighted Kenya’s pride in joining the global observance, which the United Nations established in 2014 to raise awareness of wild animals and plants.
While acknowledging the strides Kenya has made in conservation, Miano emphasized that protecting biodiversity requires collaboration beyond government efforts.
“My Ministry, the Kenya Wildlife Service, and the Wildlife Research and Training Institute cannot achieve optimum conservation alone. We need partners to support and manage these fragile resources,” she said.
She lauded county governments, international agencies, NGOs, conservancies, research institutions, and local communities for advancing Kenya’s wildlife agenda, noting that collaboration has kept the country among the world’s top wildlife tourism destinations.
Addressing human-wildlife conflict, Miano announced Sh21 million set aside this financial year to compensate 335 claimants in Elgeyo Marakwet County, with payments expected before June 2026.
She urged beneficiaries to update their banking details with county wardens to facilitate disbursement.
The Ministry plans to allocate funds annually until all pending claims nationwide are settled.
To improve transparency and efficiency, Miano revealed the development of a national digital platform for reporting, verifying, and paying human-wildlife conflict claims, set for nationwide rollout by June 2026.
“Our Ministry is running an awareness program to ensure Kenyans are fully informed about the new digital system,” she said.
On conservation policy, Miano reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to protecting all species and enforcing conservation laws.
She emphasized Kenya’s active role in international agreements, including CITES and the Global Biodiversity Framework, while scaling up domestic ecosystem restoration and promoting community-based conservation models.
“Conservation cannot succeed if communities are mere spectators. Indigenous knowledge and traditional stewardship are vital,” Miano said, highlighting support for community conservancies, sustainable resource use, and alternative livelihoods.
She reiterated the government’s ban on plastics in terrestrial and marine protected areas, urging hotels, visitors, and conservancy operators to comply.
“Wildlife is a brand for Kenya,” she noted, referencing the lion in the national emblem and wildlife imagery on currency.
Miano concluded with a call to action: “Let us collectively cherish and protect wildlife — our heritage and a vital pillar of our national identity and economy.”
