NAIROBI, Kenya- A Mandera family has finally received Sh770,000 in outstanding wildlife compensation after the intervention of the Commission on Administrative Justice helped resolve a prolonged payment dispute that had persisted for years.
The compensation relates to injuries suffered by a minor, identified as A.H.M., who was bitten by a snake in Kubihalo Sub-location, Mandera County, in June 2020 when he was four years old.
According to the Commission, the child’s father, identified as H.M.H., lodged a complaint alleging unreasonable delays in the payment of compensation that had already been approved by the government.
Approved Compensation Left Unpaid
The family’s claim had been submitted through the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to the Ministerial Wildlife Compensation Management Committee, which approved compensation amounting to Sh1.5 million.
However, the family only received Sh730,000, leaving an outstanding balance of Sh770,000.
Despite repeated follow-ups with KWS and government offices, the remaining funds were not released, prompting the complainant to seek intervention from the Ombudsman.
The father said the delay had placed immense financial strain on the family, particularly because the child required continued medical care.
“Travelling from Mandera to Nairobi is very costly, and at times I stay in hotels for even three weeks trying to follow up on the payment,” he said in submissions to the Commission.
Investigation Uncovers Payment Error
Following inquiries by the Commission, KWS informed investigators that compensation payments are administered by the State Department for Wildlife.
The matter was subsequently referred to the department for clarification.
Investigations revealed discrepancies in beneficiary records. The State Department indicated that payment records identified another individual, A.H.A., as the designated payee instead of H.M.H., who had filed the complaint on behalf of his son.
Further review established that the outstanding compensation had been mistakenly paid to A.H.A., whose separate compensation claim had already been fully settled.
The error resulted in the rightful beneficiary missing out on the remaining compensation.
State Department Processes Payment
After the discrepancy was identified, the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Wildlife directed KWS to initiate recovery of the wrongly paid funds and pursue appropriate administrative action.
The Commission continued to monitor the matter and sought periodic updates on corrective measures.
On June 5, 2026, the State Department confirmed that the outstanding compensation had been processed and paid to the rightful beneficiary.
“The Department has duly compensated Mr. H.M.H., the beneficiary of the claimant A.H.M. (minor), for injuries sustained as a result of a wildlife-related incident. The compensation has been processed and paid accordingly,” the Principal Secretary stated.
The complainant later confirmed receipt of the funds, bringing the long-running dispute to a close.
