Wildlife trust to erect a sh. 120 Million electric fence

A wildlife trust plans to erect a 60km electric perimeter fence at Chyulu National Park at a cost of Sh120 million.

David and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Project Officer James Mbuthia said construction of the fence will start at Wikiamba to Kirinyeti in Makindu sub-county.

The initiative is geared towards ending human-wildlife conflict that has been witnessed in the area for a long time.

“The trust has been interested in solving human-wildlife conflict and we have secured funding for the entire project and this will put an end to the endless suffering of the local community from the wildlife menace,” said Mr Mbuthia on Tuesday.

He called for support from local leaders and the community.

Makueni County Commissioner Maalim Mohammed said cases of loss of lives, injuries and crop destruction witnessed in communities bordering the national park would be reduced greatly after completion of the electric fence.

Affected areas

Most affected areas include Masongaleni, Mtito-Andei, Kikunduku, Mangelete in Kibwezi sub-county and some parts of Makindu sub-county.

Maalim said residents of the areas that have been affected by constant human-wildlife conflict will harvest their crops for the first time without hiccups.

According to the county boss, David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust will maintain the fence for 25 years after its erection.

He also reassured that the Government would resolve the issue involving local squatters who have invaded the Kenya Agricultural Livestock Research Organisation (Kalro).

He said that about 41,000 acres belonging to Kalro would go to the community only after underlying issues have been resolved through public participation.

“We need political goodwill. Out of the 71,000 acres of land, Kalro has remained with only 30,000 acres to do their research. We have to resolve the pending issues of encroachment,” Maalim noted.