Under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (2013), Kenyans who suffer death, injury, or property loss from wildlife are entitled to compensation. This page explains what's covered, how much, what to submit, and how to track a claim already in progress.
Eligibility
Compensation applies when loss results from wildlife under KWS jurisdiction — primarily species listed as dangerous under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act. The incident must be reported within 7 days for full eligibility.
Not covered: Loss occurring inside a fenced national park or sanctuary where the claimant entered without authorisation; damage from species not on the gazetted dangerous species list (most birds, small mammals, and reptiles other than crocodile and select snakes); incidents not reported within 7 days, except where exceptional circumstances are documented; and losses where the claimant's own negligence — such as provoking an animal — directly caused the incident.
Compensation Schedule — 2025
Rates are set nationally under the Wildlife Conservation and Management (Compensation) Regulations and reviewed periodically. Field officers assess against these rates — they are not subject to negotiation at point of claim.
Application Process
The process begins the moment an incident is reported — through the emergency line, WhatsApp, or directly at a county field office. A separate application is not required if the incident was reported through KWS emergency channels.
Required Documents
The documents required depend on claim type — death and injury claims require medical and legal documentation that crop and livestock claims do not. The list below covers the most commonly required items across all claim types.
Transparency Report — 2025 YTD
KWS publishes claims data quarterly as part of its transparency commitments. These figures cover the period January–July 2025.
Appeals
94% of claims are approved, but disagreements happen — over species identification, valuation, or eligibility. You have the right to appeal a decision within 30 days of notification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Late reports can still be considered if you can demonstrate exceptional circumstances — for example, the area was inaccessible due to flooding, or the claimant was hospitalised. Submit your report as soon as possible with an explanation of the delay; the County Wildlife Compensation Committee has discretion to accept late claims on a case-by-case basis, though approval is not guaranteed.
The current scheme applies to incidents occurring after the relevant compensation regulations took effect, and within the 7-day reporting requirement (subject to the exceptions above). Historical claims from incidents many years ago are generally not eligible under the current scheme, though some legacy claims from before 2014 have been processed under transitional arrangements — contact your county field office for guidance on long-standing unresolved claims.
The most common reason is that the field officer could not confirm predation by a covered carnivore species — for example, if the animal died of disease, fell into a ravine, or was killed by a dog or other non-covered species, it does not qualify regardless of the loss being genuine. If you believe the field assessment was incorrect, this is grounds for an appeal — particularly if you have photographs of bite patterns, tracks, or other evidence taken before the carcass was disturbed.
Compensation paid under the Wildlife Conservation and Management (Compensation) Regulations is treated as a statutory compensatory payment and is not subject to income tax. No deductions are made from the amounts shown in the compensation schedule before disbursement.
The median resolution time is 52 days, but complex claims — particularly death claims requiring succession documentation, or claims with disputed valuations — can take longer. If your claim has exceeded 60 days without an update, contact your county field office directly with your reference number, or raise it via 0800 597 000 for escalation to the regional compensation desk. Persistent delays beyond 90 days should be reported through the governance feedback channels.
A community scout, chief, or other local representative can assist with reporting the incident and helping gather documentation, but the claim itself — and the disbursement account — must be registered to the affected individual or the legally recognised next of kin for death claims. This protects claimants from third parties intercepting compensation intended for them.