The Coast Parliamentary Group (CPG) has called on the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife to expedite the creation of a grazing corridor in Yakaliche Village, Garsen Constituency, to address the persistent human-wildlife conflict in the area.
The legislators, led by CPG Secretary-General and Matuga MP Kassim Tandaza, marched to the Coast Region Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) offices in Mombasa to present a protest letter.
This followed the killing of an elder, Issack Jarso Delo, allegedly by a KWS officer on December 29, 2024.
According to eyewitness accounts, the elder was killed in his homestead in front of his family, contrary to KWS’s claims that the incident occurred in Tsavo East National Park.
The MPs blamed the escalating conflict on the lack of designated corridors for herders to access pasture and water within the park.
They urged the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to expedite investigations and prosecute the officer involved. Additionally, they demanded that KWS compensate the deceased’s family.
Tandaza condemned the killing, accusing the KWS Director General of ignoring President William Ruto’s directive for harmonious coexistence between communities and wildlife during his visit to Tana River.
He noted that water scarcity forces herders to venture into parks, and the President had ordered the creation of grazing corridors to address this challenge.
“It is unacceptable that herders are harassed, and their livestock confiscated, despite livestock being a critical resource and source of livelihood for our people,” said Tandaza.
He criticized the slow progress of the DCI, stating that the identity of the alleged perpetrator is well-known, with witnesses having already recorded statements.
He also highlighted a similar case in Kwale, where the officer involved was merely interdicted instead of being prosecuted.
Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki defended Garsen MP Ali Wario against accusations of incitement by KWS. Faki argued that Wario was fulfilling his responsibility by addressing issues affecting his constituents.
However, in a press release on December 30, KWS accused Wario of inciting the community to “illegally invade” the park with promises of acquiring land.
Faki welcomed the DCI’s decision to confiscate 23 firearms from KWS for ballistic examination but insisted that the officer involved in the killing must face justice. Wario, meanwhile, reiterated his commitment to representing his constituents, stating, “If addressing these issues is considered incitement, let it be so.”
Kisauni MP Rashid Bedzimba called on KWS to mark park boundaries clearly and to use firearms only against poachers, not pastoralists.
“Guns are for dealing with poachers. If a stray elephant can be subdued with sedatives and returned to the park, why is a human being shot dead?” he asked.
Bedzimba also suggested refresher training for KWS officers to better understand their responsibilities.
KWS Senior Warden for the Coast Conservation Area, Vincent Ongwae, acknowledged receipt of the legislators’ letter.
He assured them of KWS’s commitment to resolving the matter amicably and professionally while working closely with communities living near parks.
“We have a strategic plan to address such issues and are committed to building resilient ecosystems. I am confident we will resolve this matter swiftly,” said Ongwae.
