Compensation when wildlife kills, injures or destroys your property
Kenya Wildlife Service and County Wildlife Conservation and Compensation Committees · sources read 2 Oct 2026
If an animal on the official list kills or injures someone, the injured person or the deceased's family can claim from the County Wildlife Conservation and Compensation Committee. The amounts are KSh 5 million for a death, KSh 3 million for permanent disability and up to KSh 2 million for other injuries. Crop, livestock and property damage can also be claimed, paid at market rates.
- Deadline
- Appeal within 30 days of being notified of the decision.
- Where
- County Wildlife Conservation and Compensation Committee (through your nearest KWS office)
Steps
- Make your claim to the County Wildlife Conservation and Compensation Committee for your area. KWS offices can point you to it.
- For death or injury, the committee verifies the claim and sends it with its recommendation to the Cabinet Secretary, who pays.
- For crops, livestock or property, the committee verifies the claim and the award is paid at market rates.
- Unhappy with the award? Appeal to the National Environment Tribunal within 30 days of being told the decision, then to the Environment and Land Court.
Watch out
- Fixed amounts: KSh 5 million for death, KSh 3 million for permanent disability, up to KSh 2 million for other injuries.
- No payment for crops, livestock or property if you didn't take reasonable steps to protect them, or your land use clashes with the area's ecosystem plan.
- Report an animal emergency to KWS first: 0800 597 000 (free, 24 hours).
Who this covers
- The injured person, or for a death, the deceased's personal representative or successor.
- Death or injury: elephant, lion, leopard, rhino, hyena, crocodile, cheetah, buffalo, shark, stone fish, whale, sting ray, hippo, wild dog.
- Crops, livestock and property: elephant, lion, leopard, rhino, hyena, crocodile, cheetah, buffalo, hippo, zebra, eland, wildebeest, snake, wild dog.
Official sources (1)
- Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (No. 47 of 2013), version of 4 November 2025 new.kenyalaw.org · read 2 Oct 2026