KAJIADO, Kenya – The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is proposing a shift in how the country shares its growing tourism wealth—calling for 10 per cent of annual tourism earnings to be allocated directly to communities living alongside wildlife.
The proposal comes on the back of a record-breaking year for the tourism sector, which generated Sh460 billion in 2024—up from Sh352.5 billion the previous year.
KWS Director-General Dr. Erustus Kanga said wildlife tourism accounted for a staggering 75 per cent of the total earnings, translating to Sh345 billion.
“Most tourists visit the country to witness our national heritage – wildlife,” Dr. Kanga said during a community event in Isara, Kajiado East.
He added that redistributing a portion of the revenue to communities would support bursaries, water projects, and conservation of wildlife corridors.
Kanga spoke during the disbursement of Sh64 million in human-wildlife conflict compensation—a persistent issue in areas bordering national parks and reserves.
He emphasized that KWS, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, is working to institutionalize the proposed revenue-sharing model.
New Campaign and Fund Launch
The revenue proposal coincides with the rollout of a nationwide campaign to raise awareness on human-wildlife conflict mitigation and compensation procedures.
Principal Secretary for Wildlife Silvia Museiya, who joined Kanga at the event, said the campaign will culminate in the launch of the National Compensation Fund on May 26 in Meru County.
President William Ruto is expected to preside over the launch.
Museiya said the new model seeks to ensure communities receive structured, reliable benefits from conservation efforts—beyond sporadic compensation payments.
“Communities must not only bear the burden of living with wildlife but should also enjoy the benefits,” she said.
Mounting Compensation Claims
The proposal comes amid growing pressure from communities for quicker and more comprehensive compensation.
Local leaders in Kajiado urged KWS to include unborn infants in compensation claims involving expectant mothers harmed in wildlife encounters.
Last week, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki announced that the government had set aside Sh950 million this financial year to clear the backlog of compensation claims from wildlife-related injuries and deaths.
He also revealed plans to fence all major sanctuaries as part of long-term conflict mitigation.
“The President has issued strict instructions to resolve pending claims and ensure all sanctuaries are fenced before the next election,” Kindiki said during a tour of Laikipia North.
He added that security in the region had improved significantly due to government interventions launched in 2022.
