An Assessment of Human-wildlife Conflicts Within the Kitengela Wildlife Dispersal Area Kajiado County, Kenya

Abstract

Conflicts between wildlife and people, and especially those who border with conservation areas are common phenomena. Destruction of natural habitat is associated with human activities by overexploiting the forest cover and encroachment into protected areas. This study sought to asses human-wildlife conflicts within the Kitengela Dispersal Area in Kajiado County, Kenya. The objectives of the study were to 1) examine the types of human-wildlife conflicts around the Kitengela migratory corridor; 2) examine the causes of human-wildlife conflicts within the Kitengela migratory corridor; and 3) evaluate the management practices and strategies for human-wildlife conflict within Kitengela migratory corridor. These objectives were achieved through a sample of 62 households, selected using stratified random sampling procedure. The data was then analyzed by use of descriptive statistics. The study revealed that there are conflicts that largely emanate from damage of crops by wild animals, restricted movement of the wildlife, emergence of human settlements in the corridor, increased farming activities, increased population, and natural factors such as drought. The management strategies to reduce humanwildlife conflicts include community awareness on the importance of wildlife by the Kenya Wildlife Service, as well as intense vigilance by the Kenya Wildlife Service rangers. The study recommended the involvement of all the stakeholders to protect both the wildlife and humans in the migratory corridor and to advocate for sustainable co-existence practices, including achievable regulatory measures.