The Wildlife Conservation and Management (Amendment) Bill, 2023
Status Timeline
Proposed
Active now
Public Review
Pending
Debate
Pending
Executive
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Final
Pending
Twelve-Month Deadline for Compensation Payments
Amends Section 21A and Section 25 of the principal Act to require the Cabinet Secretary to pay verified compensation claims within twelve months of a determination by the Community Wildlife Conservation Committee. This applies to statutory compensation rates under Section 25 of the principal Act, including KSh 5 million for death, KSh 3 million for permanent disability, and up to KSh 2 million for other injuries.
Five Percent of Park Revenues Allocated to Communities
Amends Section 76 to mandate that benefit-sharing guidelines allocate a minimum of five percent of gross total revenues and fees collected from national parks and reserves to neighbouring or negatively affected local communities.
Dangerous Snakes and Marine Species Added to Compensation List
Amends Part A of the Third Schedule to make injuries or deaths caused by poisonous snakes, dangerous snakes, sharks, stone fish, whales, sting rays, and wild pigs eligible for compensation.
County Representation on Wildlife Trust Fund Governing Body
Amends Section 23 of the principal Act to include one member nominated by the Council of County Governors on the governing body of the Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund, and tasks the Fund with supporting communities negatively affected by conservation activities.
Bill No.
Senate Bills No. 46 of 2023
Gazette No.
Supplement No. 183 of 2023
Sponsor
Johnes Mwaruma
Background
The Wildlife Conservation and Management (Amendment) Bill, 2023 seeks to amend the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, No. 47 of 2013. The bill aims to facilitate faster processing of wildlife compensation claims, guarantee operational funds for local conservation committees, and ensure that local communities directly share in the benefits generated by national parks and reserves.
Key Amendments
- Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund (Section 23): Adds a nominee from the Council of County Governors to the fund's governing body and expands the fund's purposes to support local communities negatively affected by wildlife conservation activities.
- Wildlife Compensation Scheme (Section 24): Shifts structural and financial oversight of the scheme to the Cabinet Secretary, funded by monies allocated annually by the National Assembly.
- Eligible Wildlife Species (Third Schedule): Amends Part A of the Third Schedule to add poisonous snakes, dangerous snakes, sharks, stone fish, whales, sting rays, and wild pigs to the list of species eligible for death and injury compensation.
New Obligations
- Funding of Committees (Section 21A): The Cabinet Secretary must provide adequate operational funding to each Community Wildlife Conservation Committee in every financial year.
- Payment Timelines (Sections 21A and 25): The Cabinet Secretary must process and pay compensation awards within twelve months of verification, where no appeal has been lodged. This applies to death claims (KSh 5 million), permanent disability (KSh 3 million), and other injuries (up to KSh 2 million).
- Benefit Sharing (Section 76): Guidelines formulated by the Cabinet Secretary must ensure that a minimum of five percent of the gross total revenue and fees collected from national parks and reserves is allocated to neighbouring or affected local communities.
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