Cabinet Secretary Hon. Najib Balala Receives Report Of The Consumptive Wildlife Utilization Task Force

Hon. Najib Balala, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Tourism &  Wildlife has now received the Final Report of the Consumptive Wildlife Utilization (CWU) Task Force, which he formally launched on 29th March, 2018, at the Ministry Headquarters in Nairobi.

The mandate of the Task Force was to assess and advise on the modalities of implementing the provisions of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013 (WCMA 2013) on sustainable, Consumptive Wildlife Utilization (CWU) in Kenya.

The Task Force comprised of experts with a long track record in wildlife conservation in Kenya, as well as globally, and was chaired by Dr. Ben Ouma Okita.

The Final Report gives recommendations on six areas towards implementing the full potential of wildlife utilization in Kenya.

The areas covered are:

1. Legislative framework:

There is a need to improve on the Policy and Wildlife Management Act on sections that enable user rights and all aspects around its management.

2. Biological and ecological considerations:

Critical assessment be carried out to ensure there are sufficient safeguards to preserve endangered species and clarify what species may be allowed for use after careful population censuses are carried out and the management principles required.

3. Economic and potential benefits:

A comprehensive economic and valuation study be undertaken to ascertain the full potential available for this industry in the local as well external markets. The study should also look into what capacity is required to maintain high standards in all aspects on any future use of wildlife.

4. Institutional and regulatory regimes:

The principle Act will need revision to strengthen and clarify the statutory regulatory components to govern the industry.

5. Institutional and technical capacity:

There is an urgent need to comprehensively develop the institutional capacity in the parent Ministry and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to ensure professional management and monitoring of this industry, and at the same time provide the prerequisite research, education, training and extension services to the public and specific users.

6. International Treaties and Conventions:

Develop a collaborative framework to ensure adherence to international norms and principles.

These recommendations are in line with the clear directives that the Task Force was given by the Hon. Cabinet Secretary that Kenya was NOT considering opening up trophy hunting, and this was NOT to be considered in their task. In addition, the Report identified the potential of this area of economic benefit to the citizens of the country, while pointing out the need to ensure all the prerequisite requirements are put in place.

The Task Force held countrywide consultations which indicated much support for consumptive wildlife use among Kenyans generally, provided there are proper and strict regulations in place.

At the same time, there was widespread rejection of any attempts to introduce trophy hunting in the country given the current circumstances and challenges. The Ministry will embark on identifying a team to assist it to develop a clear framework on implementation of the Report following the recommendations given.

We would like to thank all the many Kenyans who attended the public forums and submitted their views to the Task Force. We also thank the team of experts who painstakingly undertook this exercise with professional and impartial diligence.