The National Assembly Public Investments Committee on Commercial Affairs and Energy met with top officials of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) who appeared before the Committee to answer queries arising from reports of the Auditor General on their Financial Statements for the Financials Years 2019/2020-2020/2021.

The Committee chaired by Hon. David Pkosing (Pokot South), asked Dr. Erastus Kanga, the KWS Acting Director General to explain why there was a variance in park entry turnover, revenue collected, and an unsupported expenditure on wildlife compensation.

In his submission, Dr. Kanga sought more time to consult with his team on the appropriate explanations for the questions. Members agreed to the request and asked the KWS team to appear before them with satisfactory explanations at a later date.

Responding to other concerns raised by the Members regarding reported human-wildlife conflicts, Dr. Kanga assured the Committee that the Service is working to improve security in all parks to deter the animals from accessing humans. He also assured Members that all victims of the said conflicts have been sufficiently compensated, and committed to furnish the Committee with proof of the same.

“The remittances to the beneficiaries of wildlife compensation of the approved claims were processed and payment vouchers are readily available for audit. We also have tangible evidence including their Identify Cards, next of kin,s and paperwork to show that every step of the compensation process was followed,” Dr. Kanga said.