The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) today handed over 50 water tanks to communities living along River Yala hotspots in Siaya County. The initiative, aimed at mitigating Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC), particularly crocodile attacks, was received with gratitude by community members.
The event was graced by KWS Deputy Director (DD) Parks and Reserves, Captain Kenneth Ochieng, representing the Director General. Other attendees included the Senior Assistant Director (SAD) Western Conservation Area, the Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Usigu Sub-County, the Area Member of County Assembly (MCA), the Siaya County Warden, the Assistant Director (AD) Kisumu County, and community members. Their collective presence underscored the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in attaining human-wildlife coexistence.
In his address, Captain Ochieng conveyed condolences to families affected by wildlife incidents and reaffirmed KWS’s commitment to safeguarding lives, livestock, and property. He urged communities to embrace coexistence with wildlife, while assuring continued support in compensation processes for those who have suffered losses due to wildlife encounters.
The DD further called on stakeholders to support water reticulation projects along River Yala and Lake Victoria to reduce dependence on risky water sources and prevent future human-wildlife conflict incidents. The provision of water tanks is a practical intervention that addresses the root cause of many conflicts—the competition for water between humans and wildlife. By providing communities with safe, accessible water, KWS is reducing the need for residents to venture into crocodile-infested waters, thereby saving lives, reducing tension and promoting coexistence.
Strengthening Partnerships
The Area MCA pledged to mobilise county leadership to allocate land for a KWS outpost in the region and strengthen collaboration with the Service to enhance community benefits from the wildlife economy. This commitment reflects a growing recognition that conservation is not just about protecting wildlife—it is also about ensuring that communities derive tangible benefits from the presence of wildlife.
The DCC Usigu Sub-County appreciated KWS for the initiative, committing to establish a fair distribution committee for the tanks and provide an office to support HWC reporting and response. These administrative measures are essential for ensuring that the intervention is sustainable and that communities are fully engaged in the process.
Community Voices
Community members expressed heartfelt gratitude for the tanks and called for sustainable, long-term solutions to address human-wildlife conflict along River Yala. Their voices are a reminder that conservation cannot succeed without the support and participation of local communities. The water tanks are a tangible symbol of KWS’s commitment to listening and responding to community needs.
Aligned with the KWS Strategic Plan
This initiative aligns with the KWS Strategic Plan 2024–2028, which prioritises enhancing community and stakeholder participation and promoting peaceful coexistence between people and wildlife. The Plan envisions thriving wildlife and healthy habitats for all, forever, and recognises that this vision can only be achieved when communities are empowered, involved, and benefit from conservation.
KWS remains committed to promoting safety, conservation education, and peaceful coexistence between people and wildlife. Through initiatives like the water tank donation, the Service is building trust, reducing conflict, and laying the foundation for a future where wildlife and communities thrive together.
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