The National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee has sounded the alarm over a ballooning backlog of human–wildlife conflict compensation claims amounting to Ksh 3.5 billion, warning that thousands of Kenyans continue to suffer due to delays and underfunding.

The watchdog Committee said the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has failed to prioritise payouts to victims, citing bureaucracy and budget shortfalls that have stalled justice for years.

Appearing before the committee chaired by Butere MP Tindi Mwale, Principal Secretary for Wildlife Silvia Museiya Kihoro revealed that the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) had disbursed only Ksh 3.08 billion between 2017 and 2021—far below the total amount owed.

Despite an annual allocation exceeding Ksh. 900 million, the PS said KWS received as little as Ksh. 65 million in 2018 and Ksh. 175 million in 2017.

“We have people who have been waiting since 2014, and it is now 2025,” she said. “We began with 2014–2016 claims and are currently processing those from 2020/2021. Compensation for later years has not begun.”

Over 20,000 claims remain pending, covering deaths, injuries, and property destruction caused by wildlife.

The PS said the government prioritises older claims, though many beneficiaries die before receiving payments.

“We are proposing a new law to make payments more realistic and affordable to the government,” she added.

County Wildlife Compensation Committees

PAC members questioned the existence and effectiveness of County Wildlife Compensation Committees (CWCCs), which verify claims before forwarding them to the ministry.

Rarieda MP Dr. Otiende Amollo said: “In theory, these committees exist—but are they actually meeting?”

He also queried discrepancies between reported payments and incidents, citing missing records of crocodile and hippo attacks in Siaya and Busia.

“Your report shows only one crocodile-related death in Siaya for the year, yet I know of at least ten cases in my constituency,” he said.

Funyula MP Dr. Wilberforce Oundo criticised “selective compensation,” asking why victims in Busia were excluded.

“Around September 2021, there was a hippo attack in Busembe and Busito, where people died. Yet these cases were never captured,” he said.

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Teso South MP Mary Emase faulted the ministry for violating the Public Finance Management Act, which requires pending bills to be treated as a first charge in the following financial year.

“If you already know the number of claims each year, why not allocate enough funds to clear them?” she asked.

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KWS Explains Delay Gaps

The PS attributed delays to funding gaps and a freeze on CWCC allowances by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) between 2021 and 2023, which halted meetings and created a backlog.

Lawmakers also questioned the Ksh800 million digital compensation system under development.

Mathioya MP Dr. Edwin Mugo said, “That amount sounds excessive. Such funds could instead go toward paying victims.”

The PS said the ministry is open to devolving payment authority back to KWS once the digital system becomes operational.

“If we can make the process seamless, I’m happy to return the payment role to KWS,” she said.

She added that the ministry plans to review compensation rates to ensure prompt and sustainable payouts.

“Kenyans have told us they prefer prompt payment over large but delayed amounts,” she said.

Lawmakers, however, insisted that “delayed justice is no justice.”

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A past session of the National Assembly. PHOTO/Parliament.