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KWS wants compensation law
changed
Story by KAULI MWATELA
Publication Date: 03/15/2004
MPs have been challenged to change
the relevant law and pave way for better compensation for wildlife
victims.
"The ball is in your
court," the Kenya Wildlife Services director, Mr Evans
Mukolwe said.
He added that the organisation's
hands are tied as it is not allowed by law to compensate farmers
whose crops are destroyed by wild animals.
If the law were to be changed, Mr
Mukolwe said KWS would have "no objection but to follow it".
He made the remarks after presenting two vehicles to the KWS Kwale
base. He said the base would also get five more members of staff
to boost security. The moves are expected to reduce human-wildlife
conflict in the area.
The vehicles were were received by
the minister for Labour, Mr Chirau Ali Mwakwere at a brief
ceremony held at the Kwale county council offices. Mr Mwakwere,
who is also the MP for Matuga constituency in Kwale District,
received the vehicles on behalf of the KWS branch and local
leaders.
Earlier, at a meeting for tourism
stakeholders, leaders from Kwale District expressed their concern
over the rampant destruction caused by wild animals and especially
elephants.
MPs Gonzi Rai (Kinango), Abdallah
Juma Ngozi (Msambweni) and Mwakwere said their constituents could
not concentrate on farming activities because all their efforts
were being thwarted by the elephants who destroyed their crops.
Link : http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/contententry.asp?category_id=1&newsid=4437
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