Skip to main content
blog

The Elephant in the Room: Examining the Complex Human-Wildlife Conflict in Kenya

By February 14, 2025No Comments

by  Shivone Mbiki

In his satirical essay How to Write About Africa, Binyavanga Wainaina (2019) critiques how media often places blame on humans when conflicts arise between them and animals, a view that reflects one aspect of human-wildlife conflict (hereinafter HWC).HWC (Human-Wildlife Conflict) refers to negative interactions between humans and wildlife, often due to habitat overlap, leading to harm or resource competition. Examples include crop raiding, livestock predation, or attacks on humans.

In Kajiado, the most common species involved in HWC are elephants, hyenas, buffaloes, leopards, baboons, monkeys, snakes, and crocodiles. Elephants are responsible for 46.2% of conflicts, mainly due to crop raiding. Human injuries and deaths and livestock predation, particularly by lions and hyenas, are also common. Over the past decade, Kenya has recorded 305 human deaths from HWC, with Kajiado accounting for 23 deaths. Other affected counties include Narok, Kilifi, and Samburu. These statistics underscore the urgency of implementing effective mitigation strategies to protect human lives and wildlife (Kenya Wildlife Service [KWS], n.d.; Okeyo et al., 2020).

This conflict, particularly in urbanizing areas such as Kajiado County, threatens livelihoods, ecosystems, and local economies and requires urgent solutions. A key example is the natural salt lick in Nairobi National Park, where lions, elephants, and livestock come together in Kitengela, highlighting the inevitable interactions between people and wildlife. Factors such as habitat loss, human population growth, land-use change, and compensation problems from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) are exacerbating HWC in the region.

Causes of Human-Wildlife Conflict

Human-wildlife conflict in Kajiado County, particularly in Kitengela, Magadi, and Isinya, is driven by habitat invasion, resource scarcity, cultural dynamics, shifting attitudes, and inadequate government intervention (Basak et al., 2023). Urbanization and agriculture push wildlife into human settlements, leading to crop destruction, soil erosion, and economic losses as elephants damage crops and carnivores prey on livestock (Scofield Associates, 2023).

Historically, the Maasai have coexisted with wildlife, but increasing predation on livestock has led to retaliatory killing of predators (Scofield Associates, 2023). The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) notes that predators often target livestock when natural prey becomes scarce. Climate change exacerbates this by disrupting migration patterns and reducing available resources. Prolonged droughts and erratic rainfall push wildlife into human settlements, further exacerbating conflicts. Poor land-use planning, including a lack of wildlife corridors and wildlife-proof fencing, also increases the frequency of human-wildlife interactions.

Effects of Human-Wildlife Conflict

The socio-economic impacts of HWC are severe, particularly in terms of crop destruction, livestock depredation, and infrastructure damage. These losses place a heavy financial burden on affected communities, exacerbating poverty and discouraging conservation efforts (Manoa et al., 2020). Socially, HWC generates fear, insecurity, and mistrust, leading to inter-community tensions and revenge killings that destabilize the socio-economic landscape.

HWC also harms local economies, particularly tourism. The killing or perceived threat of iconic species leads to a decline in tourism, an important source of income for conservation and local economies (Manoa et al., 2020). Ecologically, HWC disrupts ecosystems by reducing wildlife populations. For example, retaliatory killing of predators can lead to the overpopulation of herbivores, resulting in habitat degradation and biodiversity loss (Wildlife Coexistence, 2023). Negative perceptions of wildlife further hamper conservation, as animals are increasingly seen as threats rather than valuable assets.

The psychological impact on affected communities is also significant. Stress and anxiety caused by repeated losses and the constant threat of wildlife attacks cause some families to relocate, disrupting community-based environmental sustainability initiatives.

Managing Human-Wildlife Conflict

Tackling HWC in Kajiado requires collaborative and innovative strategies. Community involvement in conservation efforts is critical (International Fund for Animal Welfare, 2024). Involving local people in decision-making and revenue-sharing programs promotes a sense of ownership and accountability. Financial compensation for wildlife-related losses can help reduce resentment and promote peaceful coexistence. However, compensation schemes must be transparent and timely to be effective.

Non-lethal deterrents such as beehives and chili fences have proven effective in protecting crops while ensuring peaceful coexistence with wildlife. The creation of wildlife corridors further reduces conflicts by allowing animals to move safely between habitats. Additionally, improved land-use planning, including wildlife-proof fencing and sustainable policies, plays a crucial role in minimizing human-wildlife interactions. Education campaigns highlighting the ecological and economic benefits of conservation have also been instrumental in changing negative perceptions and encouraging community involvement (Byer, 1996).

Conclusion

Human-wildlife conflict is driven by urbanization, climate change, poor land use planning, and cultural dynamics, with significant socio-economic and environmental impacts. Addressing this requires community involvement, compensation, non-lethal deterrents, and sustainable land-use practices. Interaction with global literature highlights the prevalence of HWC and provides insights into strategies used in other regions, such as habitat restoration and community-based conservation, which can inform efforts to balance human development and wildlife conservation.

REFERENCES

‌

BIEA

Author BIEA

More posts by BIEA

Leave a Reply