Buffalo Kills Man Outside Apartment Days After Launch Of Ruto Compensation Scheme
Officers from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) were swiftly dispatched to the scene to assess the situation.
Marvin Chege 
A 60-year-old man with hearing impairment was on Monday, April 15 killed by a stray buffalo in the Riflot area of Voi Town.
The incident was confirmed by Area Police Commander, Ibrahim Dafalla and took place outside an apartment in the town.
Officers from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) were swiftly dispatched to the scene to assess the situation.
The victim, whose identity has not yet been disclosed pending notification of next of kin, was reported to have encountered the buffalo in an unexpected confrontation.
Scene after a buffalo was killed by KWS officers after it killed a 60-year-old man in Voi, Taita Taveta County on April 15, 2024. /CAPITAL BREAKING NEWS
Voi Town, located in Kenya's Taita-Taveta County, is surrounded by several forests & parks including Tsavo National Park & Taita Hills.
Images seen by Viral Tea showed locals surrounding the stray animal just after it was killed by the KWS officers.
The attack comes days after President William Ruto announced that the government would disburse Ksh3 billion to 7,000 Kenyans yet to be compensated for cases of human-wildlife conflict.
He further directed the Ministry of Tourism under Cabinet Secretary (CS) Alfred Mutua to compensate Kenyans who were owed for human-wildlife conflicts in the next 60 days.
“In 60 days, all those who have been done for assessment as well as verification…almost 7,000 people, the government will pay the compensation fee within that period so that we ensure that we create good relations between human beings and wildlife,” he added.
“We have close to 17,000 already assessed cases of human-wildlife conflicts with the cost of Ksh7 billion."
To date, the government has compensated Ksh4 billion to people affected by the wildlife conflicts in Kenya.
In the same vein, the Head of State announced that the government would compensate for injuries from wildlife attacks depending on the extent of harm inflicted by the animals up to a maximum of Ksh4 million.
This would be done through a graduation system whereby some Kenyans will receive varied amounts in compensation for those injured by wild animals such as elephants, depending on the gravity of the injuries that occurred.
“And going forward, when a Kenyan is injured by an elephant, we have put a graduation system in place. Some will be paid Ksh3 million, Ksh2 million…if the animal has injured that person seriously, we will compensate Ksh4 million…we will take care of you,” he added.
