Coast MPs Demand Action on Human-Wildlife Conflict After Elder’s Death

The Coast Parliamentary Group (CPG) has urged the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife to fast-track the establishment of a grazing corridor in Yakaliche Village, Garsen Constituency, to resolve ongoing human-wildlife conflicts.

Led by Matuga MP and CPG Secretary-General Kassim Tandaza, the legislators presented a protest letter to the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) Coast Region office in Mombasa. This followed the killing of Issack Jarso Delo, allegedly by a KWS officer, on December 29, 2024.

Eyewitnesses claim Delo was shot in his homestead, contradicting KWS’s assertion that the incident occurred within Tsavo East National Park. The MPs attributed the conflict to a lack of grazing corridors for herders to access water and pasture.

Tandaza condemned the killing, accusing KWS of disregarding President William Ruto’s directive to promote coexistence between communities and wildlife. “It is unacceptable for herders to face harassment when livestock is a vital livelihood,” he said. He criticized the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for slow progress in prosecuting the officer involved.

Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki defended Garsen MP Ali Wario, dismissing accusations of incitement by KWS. Faki supported the DCI’s move to confiscate 23 firearms from KWS for ballistic testing and demanded swift justice for the family of the deceased.

Kisauni MP Rashid Bedzimba called for clear park boundaries and refresher training for KWS officers, emphasizing firearms should target poachers, not pastoralists.

KWS Coast Conservation Area Warden Vincent Ongwae acknowledged the legislators’ concerns, assuring them of a strategic plan to address the issue. “We are committed to resolving this matter professionally and fostering harmonious coexistence,” he said.