𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟳, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife, Hon. Kareke Mbiuki (Maara) met with the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife led by the Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Alfred Mutua, to analyze the 2024 Budget Policy Statement.

 Accompanying the Cabinet Secretary were, the Principal Secretary of the State Department for Tourism, Mr. John Olotuaa, the Principal Secretary for the State Department of Wildlife, Ms. Silvia Museiya, and the Director General of Kenya Wildlife Service, Dr. Erastus Kanga.

 In his opening remarks, CS Dr. Alfred Mutua expressed gratitude for the Committee's invitation and outlined the Ministry's vision for 2030: transforming Kenya into a top ten long-haul and leading regional tourist destination, offering a high-end, diverse, and distinctive visitor experience.

 In her presentation, the Principal Secretary of Wildlife outlined strategic objectives of the State Department, including habitat protection, rehabilitation, and connectivity, poaching reduction, and mitigating human-wildlife conflicts. She detailed the FY 2024/25 budget allocation, emphasizing key priorities such as Natural Resource Governance, revenue expansion, human-wildlife mitigation, and public education, among others.

 The State Department for Wildlife told the Committee that it had  a cumulative expenditure of Kshs.7,879 million against a budget of Ksh.11,605 million, with a 68 percent overall absorption rate, comprising Kshs.7,721 million recurrent and Kshs.158 million in development expenditures.

 In response to concerns raised regarding the Ministry's integrity, Dr. Mutua acknowledged the scrutiny faced and affirmed his commitment to upholding integrity while executing his duties.

 "I would like to make it very clear that this Ministry is under the microscope of EACC for the way funds have been spent in the last 15 to 20 years, people have already been taken to court as a result, Ministers have not been charged. As a Minister, I have to watch out, to do the right thing, but I also want to watch out for my skin, I have to make sure that I am not put in a place where my integrity will be compromised and then am the one who will be charged in a court of law,” said the CS.

 Additionally, the meeting addressed the pressing issue of Human-Wildlife Conflict, notably recent incidents including a Hyena attack on a Multimedia University student and a bodaboda rider mauled by lions in Kwale County.