Kenya is world-renowned for its natural beauty. Boasting stunning landscapes, tens of thousands of wildlife species and rich biodiversity, alongside bustling urban landscapes, it is among the few countries classified as “highly biodiverse” and is home to the world’s only national park within its capital, Nairobi.
However, these praises mask a fragile balance between the seemingly competing forces of social and economic development and environmental conservation.
The massive growth in human population has led to a commensurate increase in resource consumption, leading to increased competition between communities and wildlife. Expanding settlements are also encroaching on natural habitats, migration corridors and rangelands.
Further encroachment on agricultural land is necessary to meet growing needs for infrastructure, agriculture and industry. A recent study of pastures in Kenya illustrates the dilemma – in 50 years, the number of sheep and goats has increased by 76%, while the population has quintupled.
Considering the factors causing environmental degradation such as climate change, poverty and, ironically, the reintroduction of species such as elephants, hippos, lions and others, this has exacerbated human-wildlife conflicts, posing the greatest challenge to their conservation.
An estimated 2,150 wild animals were killed in Kenya between 2005 and 2016. This could be detrimental, given the economic importance of tourism, which accounts for 10.4% of Kenya’s GDP and provides one in twelve jobs, according to the Tourism Sector Performance Report 2023.
Therefore, addressing human-wildlife conflict is a key priority for the country. While it is impossible to eliminate conflict completely, effective integrated and informed approaches can facilitate peaceful coexistence between the community and the environment outside protected areas. However, this requires the contribution of a diverse range of actors.
We must protect nature for people, not for them. By empowering local communities, who take responsibility for conserving and managing natural resources, we can conserve them more effectively and efficiently for equitable benefit.
Most importantly, local communities should be involved in biodiversity conservation efforts in a way that improves their livelihoods, secures their rights, and respects their unique indigenous knowledge and culture.
By sharing knowledge and guiding concerted action, we can create greater solutions to address the major challenges posed by human-wildlife conflict. Alone, our power is limited, but in collaboration with like-minded changemakers, we can reshape systems for long-term coexistence and conservation success.
The writer is the Director of Government Relations and Policy at The Nature Conservancy’s Kenya office.