Farmers in western Kenya want the government to list monkeys and snakes among species eligible for compensation in the proposed Wildlife Conservation and Management Act amendment proposals.

During a public participation forum in Kakamega town, participants from Kakamega and Vihiga counties raised alarms over widespread destruction of crops by monkeys and rising incidence of snake bite. They lamented that they are never compensated for loss of crops and lives by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the legal custodian of non-domestic species.

The farmers complained further that, under the proposed Wildlife Conservation and Management Act in the Third Schedule, which defines the wildlife species for which compensation is paid in case of injury or death, and for livestock, crop damage or property caused by wildlife, the other destructive species have not been included.

The law lists elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, hyena, crocodiles, hippopotamus and wild dogs as those eligible for compensation under the Act, but excludes monkeys and snakes local people say are equally dangerous.

Herbart Ahanya from Emuhaya Sub-County in Vihiga County complained that despite there being no game reserve in their locality, monkeys pose a serious threat to food security as they destroy crops, thus leading to reduced yields.

“The Bill should consider translocating the monkeys to Kakamega Forest,” he proposed.

The sentiments were echoed by Senior Chief Wycliffe Kombo from Navakholo Sub-County, Chief Francis Kelu from Butere Sub-County and a resident Justus Mukeshi. Martin Kogi from Matungu sub-county, in Kakamega County said hippopotamus from River Nzoia cause massive crop damage by eating and trampling on crops.

The participants asked that the County Wildlife Compensation Committee (CWCC) be revived and decentralised to carry out claim assessments and make the process more accessible and transparent.

Deputy Director Wildlife Conservation Eric Agunja said the main objective of the amendment is to enhance sustainable utilisation of wildlife. He said the review seeks to realign the law with the constitution by taking into consideration the roles and responsibilities of different levels of government, address emerging issues in the wildlife sector such as climate change, restructure wildlife conservation, protection and management in Kenya and provide legal clarity and certainty in governance within the wildlife sector.

The Bill spells out stiffer penalties on pollution of ecosystems, bush-meat trade, violation or altering of management plans, trade in critically endangered wildlife species or impersonation of KWS officers.

Fines range from Ksh2 million or 10 years imprisonment or both.

The Bill also proposes to create Kenya Wildlife Regulatory Authority to regulate the wildlife sector, the Kenya Wildlife Club to provide youth education and awareness on wildlife conservation as well as the National Wildlife Tribunal to adjudicate in environmental disputes.

KWS, mandate will remain to conserve and manage Kenya’s Wildlife, enforce related laws and protect national parks, reserves and sanctuaries.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Jedidah Mumia and James Ingusu