The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is facing Ksh19.8 billion deficit to implement Ksh98.3 billion 2024-2028 strategic plan.
The strategic plan has identified five key areas among them community participation and enhanced benefits from wildlife conservation, expanded wildlife economy and ecosystem services flourishing wildlife population and resilient ecosystems with rich biodiversity.
According to the plan, KWS will need cumulative Ksh3.8 billion to address the human-wildlife conflict Rising cases of human-wildlife conflict has been rampant recently with residents of Kiambu County’s Juja area losing lives to Hyenas.
During the first year of the plan, KWS will require Ksh818 million to address the co-existence between people and wildlife, in the second, third, fourth and fifth year, KWS projects to spend Ksh876 million, Ksh742 million, Ksh732 million and Ksh600 million respectively for the same.
The service will require cumulative Ksh7.6 billion to increase the wildlife population, Ksh756.9 million for community and stakeholder participation, Ksh684 million for access and benefit sharing and Ksh6.1billion for resilient ecosystem with rich biodiversity.
During the 2019-2024 strategic plan the Service increased internally generated revenue from Ksh 1 billion in 2020/2021 FY (pandemic year) to Ksh 5.3 billion in 2022/2023 and Ksh. 7.6 Billion in 2023/2024 FY making a significant contribution to the Annual Budget funding for the Service.
Speaking at the launch of the Plan, the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Rebecca Miano, noted that expanding wildlife economy is crucial in reducing inequalities, enhancing food security and supporting local economies, particularly in rural areas.
She pointed out that the goal would be achieved through promotion of consumptive wildlife-based enterprises, strengthening of marine reserve management, developing and diversifying tourism products and improving tourism facility management among other crucial initiatives.
Miano reaffirmed the government’s commitment to harness Kenya’s natural heritage for sustainable development while ensuring that the benefits of conservation are equitably shared among all stakeholders.
She highlighted the Plan’s focus on the wildlife economy as a key pillar with the potential to generate wealth and improve the quality of life for thousands of Kenyans. Previous initiatives aimed at supporting Kenya’s wildlife economy have led to a significant increase in internally generated revenue.
Principal Secretary, State Department for Wildlife, Ms. Silvia Museiya, stated that the Strategic Plan provides platform for reducing biodiversity loss, improving community engagement and ensuring that all Kenyans access the benefits of wildlife conservation.
“The plan will enhance the management of human-wildlife coexistence, promote equitable sharing of conservation benefits and implement science-driven approaches to increase wildlife populations and safeguard critical ecosystems,” she noted.
Museiya pledged the National Government’s support in developing well thought through frameworks that will deliver benefits derived from shared and sustainable wildlife resource use, alongside a pledge to review laws and regulations meant to strengthen better coordination and governance of the wildlife sector.
KWS DG Kanga, on his part, weighed in on the intentional and transformative bent of the comprehensive Strategic Plan meant to implement the National Human Wildlife Coexistence Strategy and Action Plan as well as the National Wildlife Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.
He said that these initiatives, once enacted, would, deliver resilience and sustainability to Kenya’s wildlife heritage for the benefit of future generations.
