Apr, 25, 2025. Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) remains one of the greatest threats to biodiversity and the livelihoods of people living near conservancies, ranches, and even the Tsavo National Parks. As communities and wildlife increasingly interact, the need for sustainable, intentional strategies to support coexistence becomes even more critical.
Recognizing this urgency, various partners and stakeholders have been working to identify practical approaches that not only support affected communities but also promote wildlife conservation to safeguard our national heritage.
It is worth to note that, according to the Kenya Human-Wildlife Coexistence Strategy and Action Plan 2024–2033, Tsavo landscape recorded the highest number of human-wildlife conflict cases between 2017 and 2021.
In response to the need for a unified, healthy, and connected landscape, the Taita Taveta Wildlife Conservancies Association (TTWCA) partnered with AB Entheos and the Binnacle Fund to pilot an initiative named Kikapu cha Pole — a Swahili phrase meaning “a consolation fund.”
The name was coined by local community members and reflects the initiative’s purpose: to provide little but timely financial support to individuals affected by human-wildlife conflict.
Kikapu cha pole offers a modest, immediate token to help victims recover and rebuild for losses caused by wildlife.
The pilot project has been implemented over the past 18 months in three locations in Taita Taveta County: Ngolia (Ngolia Ward), Mwachabo (Chawia Ward), and Kasigau (Kasigau Ward).
So far, Kikapu cha Pole has reached over 150 households, offering not only consolation to the affected locals but also financial support which has seen over Ksh 250,000 disbursed for crop raids, property destruction, livestock predation, among other cases.
As the pilot phase nears conclusion, beneficiaries have shared insightful experiences enabling us to start exploring ways to improve the model.
The community members have expressed deep gratitude for the program, emphasizing that although the funds received were modest, the speed of disbursement made a significant impact.
One village elder emphasized the community’s appreciation of wildlife but also highlighted the difficulty of peaceful coexistence when communities feel excluded from conservation benefits:
“Our community highly values wildlife,” said the elder.
But living harmoniously is challenging when the feeling of not directly benefiting from conservation efforts arises. Conservation efforts struggle to gain meaningful community support unless people experience tangible, positive impacts in their everyday lives.
This sentiment echoed by many, prompted TTWCA to strengthen partnerships and explore more ways to bring tangible benefits to communities while addressing their concerns.
A Resident’s Experience with “Kikapu cha Pole”
“I have lived in Manoa, Mwachabo Location, for years now and I’ve always depended on my livestock for a livelihood. From them we get milk for daily subsistence use and at the same time serving as a valuable source of income,” narrated Mr. Siriri Mboisa Ezekiel.
However, a recent incident where a leopard attacked my herd left me devastated. Three goats were killed. Two of them had kids, and I was worried I would lose the young ones. When I received a Ksh 6000 token from Kikapu cha Pole, as a consolation, I used the money to buy a feeding bottle to nurse the orphaned kids and pumped the rest to other projects, he added.
Although the support was modest, its timely arrival made a significant difference during a critical moment, enabling Mr. Ezekiel to nurse the surviving goats back to health.
With this initiative, I feel a renewed sense of hope and responsibility. I’ve implemented new protective measures, such as securing my livestock shelter and monitoring grazing times to minimize risks. While the loss was painful, the assistance from Kikapu cha Pole showed me that conservation efforts can support the community in practical ways. I hope to see more of such programs that align wildlife protection with tangible benefits for the community,” he applauded.
These firsthand accounts underscore the value of responsive, community-centered approaches to human-wildlife conflict. As we reflect on the successes and lessons of this initiative, the voices of those on the frontlines of conservation will be key to shaping a future where people and wildlife thrive together.
To build on this momentum, TTWCA is working toward developing a fundraising platform to support the Consolation Fund Scheme, especially in light of the increasing number of human-wildlife conflict cases and the overwhelming positive feedback received.
Substantiated by statistics from the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Wildlife Research and Training Institute, there is a compelling case for scaling this initiative.
TTWCA calls upon partners and stakeholders to support this coexistence agenda and the possibility of scaling up this program to reach more locals living adjacent to the protected areas as well as wildlife corridors.
If you would like to be part of this initiative, please contact us. Let’s join hands in supporting the communities at the forefront of conservation.