Tuesday, 8 April, 2025
Statement on the establishment and conservation of wildlife corridors in Kisumu County๐๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ ๐ ๐ซ๐ข๐๐๐ฒ, ๐๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ฉ๐ซ๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐
Senator (Prof) Tom Ojienda SC (Kisumu) has sought a Statement from the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources regarding the establishment and conservation of wildlife corridors, with a specific focus on Kisumu County.
"Rapid urbanization and agricultural expansion have increasingly encroached upon key ecological zones, threatening species such as hippos, impalas and over 115 bird species found in the Kisumu Impala Sanctuary. Additionally, human- wildlife conflicts, particularly around Lake Victoria pose risks to both local communities and wildlife populations," Senator Ojienda stated.
He further emphasized that Kenya's tourism sector contributes approximately 10% of GDP and provides over 1.8 million jobs, making it imperative to safeguard these corridors to maintain ecological balance and sustain economic benefits.
In the Statement, the Committee should address the existing and proposed wildlife corridors in Kisumu County, their significance in conservation and biodiversity protection, the role of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and county authorities in their management and the level of funding and resources allocated by both national and county governments for their development and long-term sustainability.
The committee should also state the impact of human settlements, infrastructure projects and agricultural expansion on wildlife movement and ecological balance in the region, measures in place to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts, particularly in areas where wildlife corridors intersect with community settlements.
The lawmaker further wants to be appraised on Government efforts to secure land for conservation and any plans to engage local communities in co-management strategies and data on wildlife species affected by habitat fragmentation in Kisumu County and the conservation strategies being implemented for their protection.
Senator Ojienda has also sought a Statement from the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations regarding the violent clashes that occurred on 22nd February 2025 in Sondu Town along the border of Kisumu and Kericho counties, which tragically resulted in located three fatalities.
In the statement, the committee should address among other issues the causes, timeline and impact of the clashes, including the number of casualties, extent of property destruction, displacement of residents and any historical disputes or boundary ambiguities contributing to tensions in the Sondu area.
The immediate security interventions undertaken to restore calm, including the deployment of law enforcement personnel, coordination between the national and county governments and efforts to prevent further escalation.
The Committee is required to give the role of local leaders, elders and peace committees in conflict mediation and an assessment of the effectiveness of existing peace accords and community based resolution mechanisms.
The long-term strategies being implemented to ensure sustainable peace and development in the region, outlining community engagement initiatives, infrastructure investment and socio-economic programmes to address root causes of conflict.
Further, the ODM Party Lawmaker wants the Committee to state measures in place to ensure accountability for those responsible for the violence including investigations, arrests, prosecutions and steps taken to break the cycle of impunity in the region.
In a separate request, Prof. Ojienda has questioned the professionalism in the public service transport sector.
"On 12th March 2025, a conductor of a Super Metro SACCO Limited (Super Metro) Passenger Service Vehicle (PSV) pushed a passenger out of moving bus, leading to the passenger's untimely death. This reckless and inhumane act is not only a violation of human rights but also raises serious concerns about the professionalism and conduct of PSV drivers and conductors across the country," said Senator Ojienda.
Senator Ojienda wanted the Roads, Transportation and Housing Committee to explain the actions being taken by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and other law enforcement agencies to fast-track investigations into the tragic incident and prosecute those responsible.
In the Statement the Committee is expected to address the measures in place to ensure strict adherence by PSV operators to established professional standards in respect of licensing, training of their drivers and conductors and enforcement of ethical conduct amongst the drivers and conductors.
The committee should further state the steps being taken to curb misconduct and violence by PSV drivers and conductors, including the disciplinary and monitoring mechanisms in place to guarantee passenger safety and policy or legislative proposals to enhance professionalism, accountability and overall passenger safety in the public service transport sector.