Kenya has taken a significant step towards reconciling conservation and community welfare following the launch of the third phase of the National Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) Compensation Programme and the unveiling of an innovative Wildlife Conservation Card by President William Ruto at Meru National Park.
The President presented a cheque for Ksh950 million to the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife for this financial year’s disbursements and gave 11 Meru County beneficiaries their individual cheques.
President Ruto said the initiative signaled a new era in which wildlife and people could thrive side by side. “Compensation is justice, but prevention is progress,” he said. “Through the Conservation Card, fencing, and community-led tourism, we are transforming conflict into opportunity.”
A total of Ksh44.8 million is being disbursed this month to 1,355 verified claimants from six pilot counties — Meru, Baringo, Taita Taveta, Kajiado, Laikipia, and Narok — as part of the compensation rollout. In Meru County alone, 460 beneficiaries are to be paid Ksh3,474,375, with M-Pesa used for claims under Ksh 100,000 and cheques issued for higher amounts.
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To promote transparency and accessibility, a dedicated claims status desk was established at the venue, helping community members verify their compensation statuses.
In a symbolic and practical shift towards conservation-led economic development, President Ruto also unveiled Kenya’s first prepaid Wildlife Conservation Card. Developed in partnership with KCB Bank, the card offers users a choice of three wildlife-themed options — Platinum (Elephant), Gold (Lion), and Silver (Cheetah) — each of which donates a small percentage of every transaction (Ksh10, Ksh5, and KSsh3 respectively) to the Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund.
The initiative aims to empower Kenyans and global supporters to contribute directly to conservation through routine spending, while fostering financial inclusion and strengthening domestic conservation financing.
President Ruto further announced the approval of three new hotels within Meru National Park, part of a broader strategy to unlock tourism potential and generate community income through job creation and enterprise development. The government has allocated Ksh250 million for the renovation of Meru Mulika Airstrip to improve accessibility, with a commitment to provide additional resources as needed.
The President called on local entrepreneurs to take advantage of new investment opportunities in eco-tourism and conservation-related enterprises, emphasizing the importance of inclusive growth under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The government has ramped up preventive measures to mitigate human-wildlife conflict. These include the construction of 200 kilometres of new electric fencing across high-conflict areas, the deployment of 1,500 additional Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) rangers, and the acquisition of 100 vehicles to bolster rapid response capabilities. The adoption of digitized systems has expedited compensation, with verified claims now processed within 90 days — an improvement that enhances service delivery and community trust.
These developments align with the Kenya Wildlife Service Strategic Plan 2024–2028 and the National Human-Wildlife Coexistence Strategy 2024–2033, both of which emphasize prevention, innovation, and community empowerment. Solutions being piloted include the installation of beehive fences to deter elephants, the use of predator-proof bomas to protect livestock, and the promotion of alternative livelihoods such as beekeeping, eco-tourism, and conservation agriculture. These community-centered interventions are designed to turn former conflict zones into conservation strongholds.
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Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Hon. Rebecca Miano, described the program as a cornerstone of Kenya’s development blueprint. “This program aligns with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda by ensuring that conservation delivers tangible benefits to communities while preserving our natural heritage,” she said.
Kenya Wildlife Service Director General, Prof. Erustus Kanga, reported that 3,857 human-wildlife conflict incidents were managed in the last quarter alone, underlining the urgency and relevance of the initiative. “Our priority remains saving lives, livelihoods, and wildlife,” he said. “We thank the President for prioritizing this national imperative.”
Meru County Governor Rev. Isaac Mutuma welcomed the government’s support and investment, describing the day’s events as a “turning point for communities who have long borne the brunt of wildlife conflict.”
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