At least 24 families in Homa Bay County are seeking compensation from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) after their relatives were attacked by wild animals in various circumstances, resulting in death, injury and destruction of property.
The families are seeking compensation from KWS for their losses amid concerns from fishermen in the county that the payment process is taking too long. Cases were recorded over the past 12 months.
KWS County Mayor Jackson Kibor said the recent cases were due to hippo and crocodile attacks.
KWS considering compensation for victims of recent wildlife attacks in Homa Bay
The hippo attack occurred last month in Rambwe East, Mbita District, when a 41-year-old fisherman was attacked and injured while fishing on the Kisaka coast. He survived the attack but broke his arm.
However, there was another attack in Ndiwa last week involving an 11-year-old student and a crocodile, resulting in the child's death.
Later, KWS rangers killed a crocodile in the Kuja River and recovered the child's body after dissecting the reptile.
In addition to deaths and injuries, some families are seeking compensation for crops destroyed by the animals.
Most of the families seeking compensation for crop destruction are those whose corn and other crops were eaten by monkeys and baboons.
Kiball said all 24 cases are being considered by the county's wildlife compensation committee. Of these, five resulted in death and the remaining 19 resulted in personal injury.
“We are seeing an increase in cases of human-wildlife conflict in the county, with 24 cases reported in one year. The committee is investigating the cases.” he said.
County Beach Authority Network Chairman Edward Oremo accused KWS of deliberately delaying the process.
“Some families have lost hope while waiting for compensation. Some relatives of victims who should have been paid have died while waiting for the money and are never paid,” Oremo said. Ta.
According to the head of the coastal management association, some fishermen have been seeking compensation for more than 10 years.
KWS officials said that for the process to be successful, several documents, including medical reports and police reports, must be properly submitted.
“Sometimes, some families do not attach relevant documents to their compensation application, which prevents the process from being completed. The application may be rejected or sent back to the applicant,” Kibor said. Told.
He advised people living near wild animal habitats to exercise caution when carrying out their daily activities.
“We will continue to hold awareness meetings with different communities and teach them how to coexist with wildlife,” Kibor said.
However, he warned families that not all cases of death, injury or crop destruction would be automatically compensated.
