March 19, 2024
Addressing human-wildlife conflict (HWC) has been a problem in Kenya for years and has posed a significant challenge to Kenya’s conservation efforts and socio-economic development. With an expanding population encroaching upon wildlife habitats, conflicts arise, leading to economic losses, property damage, and even loss of life.
The situation is poised to worsen as climate change takes its toll and more land formerly occupied by wild animals is transformed into human settlement areas. With pastures depleted, wild animals have been known to invade private farms where elephants break into food stores adversely affecting livelihoods.
Just last month, a man died, and two others were injured, by a cackle of marauding hyenas near Multimedia University of Kenya. This tool is nonfinancial and threatens the delicate ecological balance of one of Africa’s biodiversity hotspots.