Malonza: Rhinos will be moved to private conservancies
Tourism, Wildlife and National Heritage Cabinet Secretary Peninah Malonza has announced plans to translocate rhinos to selected wildlife conservancies.
Speaking at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy when she led a team of ministry official on a familiarisation tour, Malonza lauded the organisation for complementing the conservation work done by the government through the Kenya Wildlife Service.
She said the Ministry will soon translocate rhinos to conservancies but under strict directive that they protect and grow the population of the endangered animals.
“Kenya is only remaining with two Northern White Rhinos that cannot reproduce since they are both females hence we are staring at extinction of the animals. However, the country has enough black rhinos for translocation and a good opportunity to further grow their population,” she said.
Compensation
The CS, however, warned that the country cannot afford to lose more rhinos and directed conservancies to put in place elaborate measures to protect and grow the rhino population.
Malonza decried the rising cases of human-wildlife conflict and the piling unpaid compensation claims that amount up to more than Sh6 billion, with only Sh1.8 billion available to cater for the compensation claims.
Share burden
“Parliament had passed very high amounts for compensation of victims with every person who loses their life expected to be compensated to a tune of Sh5 million while one who loses their limbs is expected to receive Sh3 million as compensation fees,” she said.
The CS called on all stakeholders, including conservancies and county governments, to agree on how to share the cost of compensation instead of leaving the burden to the national government since they are also beneficiaries of the wildlife.
Northern Rangelands Trust CEO Tom Lalampaa said conservancies appreciated support from the government in their conservation efforts.
The CS was accompanied Principal Secretary, State Department of Wildlife Silvia Museiya and the Chief Administrative Secretary Rehema Dida Jaldesa.
