President William Ruto has committed that his administration will work towards the installation of electric fences estimated at 400 kilometres to separate wildlife from the human in efforts to end the perennial conflict in six counties.
In the in five years, the issue pertaining human wildlife conflict will be a thing of the past in the six counties and including Laikipia,
Speaking at Rumuruti grounds in Laikipia county where he was accompanied bv Tourism Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua and host governor Joshua Irungu, Ruto during the launch of human wildlife conflict and mitigation scheme, where he presented cheques worth Sh1 billion.
He said, 17,500 wildlife conflict cases have been verified where Sh4 billion have been paid to the victims, another 7,000 cases are pending upon verification where Sh3 billion will be paid in the next 60 days.
“Never again shall the wildlife destroy crops as the electric fence will be mounted to keep the animals in their natural habitats as the people do their cultivation in their farms,” said Ruto saying Laikipia county is among those that have been hit by the human wildlife conflict for years.
In matters pertaining to recruitment of the KWS rangers, the head of state said the county of Laikipia will have more youth recruited following use of affirmative action based on Laikipia is hard hit on human wildlife conflict.
KWS has advertised for 1,500 rangers’ positions, and recruitment is set to start on Monday next week. “As earlier mentioned, the youth who graduated from the National Youth Service (NYS) will be accorded priority in the recruitment in the security agencies,” said the President.
In other developmental matters, Ruto said Rumuruti being the county headquarters will benefit with 1,000 affordable houses, and a Sh300 million modern market.
” The request made to have the office of the county commissioner relocated to Rumururi from Nanyuki will be relooked at,” said Ruto. Leaders who accompanied the head of state included Deputy President Rigathi Gagacghua, Majority Leader Kimani Ichungw’a, MPs Mwangi Kiunjuri, Sarah Lekorere, Wachira Karania, Jane Kagiri and Kaleke Mbiuki..
Others were Senator John Kinyua, and Taita Taveta Governor Andrew Mwandime.
