NAIROBI, Kenya — The Director General of the Kenya Wildlife Service, Erustus Kanga, is facing possible arrest after repeatedly failing to appear before a parliamentary committee probing rising human-wildlife conflict cases.
Lawmakers sitting in the National Assembly of Kenya Committee on Cohesion and Equal Opportunities expressed frustration on Wednesday, April 15, after Kanga skipped three consecutive sessions without formal communication.
The committee, chaired by Adan Yussuf Haji, had summoned the KWS boss to respond to concerns over a reported human-wildlife conflict incident in Kisima Location, Samburu County.
The committee is also examining broader trends, including fatalities, injuries, and destruction of property linked to wildlife encounters.
“Kanga called me and explained why he would not attend, but I asked him to do so formally in writing, which he has not done,” Haji told the committee, underscoring procedural requirements for accountability to Parliament.
Members sharply criticised the Director General’s conduct, framing it as a disregard for parliamentary authority and oversight.
Luanda MP Dick Maungu called for coercive measures, urging the committee to escalate the matter.
“The Committee should recommend his arrest and have him brought before us, as he has ignored our invitations for the third time,” Maungu said.
He added that parliamentary Standing Orders empower committees to compel attendance and sanction non-compliance, including financial penalties.
“The Committee should impose a fine of Sh500,000 on the DG for failing to attend sittings as required by law,” he stated.
The chairperson confirmed that the committee will now issue a formal summons to compel Kanga’s attendance, warning that continued failure to comply would attract punitive action.
“I want to remind the DG that any fine must be paid from his own pocket, not from public funds,” Haji said.
Under the parliamentary framework, departmental committees derive authority from the Constitution and Standing Orders to oversee state agencies, summon witnesses, and demand documents.
Non-compliance can trigger sanctions, including fines or arrest warrants, reinforcing Parliament’s oversight role over public institutions.
