1. The Applicants filed the present application dated 19 th September 2025 seeking for an order of Mandamus to compel the Respondents especially the 1 st Respondent to release Ksh5,000,000/= as compensation for the fatal injuries suffered by the deceased after being attacked and injured by wildlife within fourteen days from the date of service of the order of mandamus, costs and further incidentals to his application.
2. The application is supported by the supporting affidavit of one of the Exparte Applicant one Elizabeth Kadogo Maugo sworn on even dates which states inter alia; that the Exparte Applicants are the legal representative of the deceased, Godfrey Onyango Odwory ; that on 16 th January 2017, the deceased was viciously attacked by a hippo while fishing at lake Victoria within Busembe Sub Location occasioning him fatal injuries as a result of the 1 st Respondent’s negligence and breach of statutory duty as governed by the provisions of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act No. 47 of 2013; that the Exparte Applicants reported the matter at Sio- Port police station and that the 1 st Respondent’s Officers came and took the details and promised to compensate them for the death of their kin; that the exparte applicants thereafter applied for compensation by filing the claim form provided by the 1 st Respondent; that the 1 st Respondent convened a meeting of a Community Wildlife Conservation Committee (MWCC) that validates and approves payment of the awards by the aforesaid committee; that on following up at the Kenya Wildlife office in Busia County the Exparte Applicants were informed that the Ministerial Wildlife Compensation Committee had approved the award of Kshs5,000,000/= for settlement of the claim; that in spite of the foregoing, they are yet to receive the compensation resulting from the death of their kin; that the Exparte Applicants have on various occasions made a follow up on the compensation but the 1 st Respondent has not been forthcoming and has been taking them round in circles; that the Exparte Applicants have now waited for close toeight(8) years and the Respondents are yet to make good the compensation even after requisite meetings and approval of the claim by relevant committees; that the Respondents continue to unjustifiably delay the compensation without any plausible explanation; that this application is meritorious and has been brought without unreasonable delay; that the Exparte Applicants are apprehensive that unless this court intervenes and compels the Respondent to act on their decision and settle the claim, the Respondent will continue to ignore the Applicants’ demand for compensation and thus corrode and erode the confidence of the Applicants and the general public in the efficiency of the administrative process of Kenya; that it is therefore important that this matter be heard as a matter of urgency for just and expeditious disposal and that it is just, fair and equitable that the orders sought herein be granted to the Applicants.
3. The application was opposed by the 1 st Respondent who filed a replying affidavit dated 21 st November 2025 sworn by Amos Nyaoro and who deponed inter alia; that he is warden of the 1 st Respondent stationed within Western Conservation area fully conversant with the facts of the case; that the Applicants averments are misleading and false; that the Claimants pursued the procedure laid down in Section 25 of the EMCA 2013 after the demise of the deceased culminating in approval of Kshs5,000,000/=; that the next of kin Violet Mugeni has since been allocated a portion of the approved compensation amounting to Ksh1,484,000/= being the first instalment payment directly to the claimant’s account; that the alleged delay in compensation is not a result of the 1 st Respondents inaction but a possible technical error considering the window that claimants herein provided two separate bank account numbers instead of just one as a result of which the remittance system was not successful; that once rectified, the part payment shall be made awaiting the next tranch of payments due in April 2026.
4. The application was canvassed by way of written submissions. Both parties duly filed and exchanged submissions. The Applicant’s submissions are dated 19 th January 2026 whereas the 1 st Respondent’s submissions are dated. 1 st February 2026.
5. I have considered the application, rival affidavits as well as the rival submissions. It is not in dispute that the Applicant’s request for compensation has already been vetted and approved by the Ministerial Wildlife Compensation Committee in the sum of Ksh 5,000,000/= and that a part payment has been made in the sum of Ksh1,484,000/= with the balance thereof being awaited in the month of April 2026. The issue for determination is whether the application has merit.
6. The Applicants are the legal representatives of the deceased who was killed by a hippo while conducting fishing near Lake Victoria.
The Applicant’s submissions are that; through his advocate filed an application dated 19 th September 2025 having been granted leave to do so by this court which seeks for an order of mandamus to compel the Respondents and especially the Respondent to release the sum of Ksh5,000,000/= to the Exparte Applicants’ Advocate as outlined on the grounds in support of the application.
The issues for determination are as follows: -
a) Whether the 1 st Respondent is statutorily bound to manage parks and reserves.
b) Whether the Respondent is mandated to compensate the Exparte applicant.
c) What are the timelines within which the Applicant’s claim should be settled
d) Whether the Exparte Applicant is entitled to the orders of mandamus.
7. On the 1 st issue , of whether the Respondent is statutorily bound to manage national parks and reserves, according to the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013 Section 6 and 7.
“ 7, the function of the Service shall be to-
a) Conserve and manage national parks, wildlife conservation areas, and sanctuaries under its jurisdiction;
b) Provide security for wild life and visitors in national parks, wildlife conservation areas and sanctuaries;
The legal capacity and the mandate of the Respondent with regards to this case is clear from the above provisions. Amongst them includes management of the National parks, Wildlife Conservation areas and sanctuaries under its jurisdiction. This would imply that he Respondent has a statutory mandate to control wildlife.
8. On the second issue on whether the Respondent has the mandate to compensate the Exparte Applicant, it is worth noting that having established that the Respondent has the mandate to control wild life under the Act with the attendant duty to compensate the Claimant within 60 days from the date of reporting, the next question would be whether they are charged with the responsibility of compensation for claims made under the Act. In answering this question, we will outline the procedure to be followed for payment of damages by a Claimant who opts to pursue a claim under the Act as was done by the ex parte applicant. The same is outlined under Section 25 of the Act which provides as follows:
Section 25
1) Where any person suffers any bodily injury or is killed by any wildlife listed under the Third Schedule, the person injured, or in the case of a deceased person, the personal representatives or successor or assign, may launch a claim to the County Wild life Conservation and Compensation Committee within the jurisdiction established under this Act.
2) The County Wildlife Conservation and Compensation Committee established under Section 18 shall verify a claim made under Section 18 shall verify a claim made under sub section (1) and upon verification, submit the claim t the cabinet secretary together with its recommendation.
3) The Cabinet Secretary shall consider the recommendations made under sub section (2) and where appropriate pay compensation to the claimant as follows: -
a) In the case of death, five million shillings.
b) In the case of injury occasioning permanent disability, three million shillings.
c) In case of any other injury, a maximum of two million shillings, depending on the extent of the injury.
9. Counsel placed reliance in the Court of Appeal case of Kenya Wildlife Service vs. Joseph Musyoki Kalonzo [2017] eKLR , where the court reinstated that the duty to manage the National parks and reserves comes with the attendant responsibility to shoulder claims arising out of loss, injury or damage caused to property and human life by wildlife and which stipulated as follows on the issue: -
“The Appellant admits the duty to manage and conserve wildlife. That duty comes with the attendant responsibility to shoulder any claim of loss or damage caused by the breach of that duty.
10. Also, in the case of Joseph Boro Ngera & Supaduka Nakuru Vs. Kenya Wildlife Service Civil Appeal NO. 71 of 1997. The Appellate Court observed that the duty to manage national parks and reserves comes with the attendant responsibility to shoulder claims arising out of loss, injury or damage to property and human life. Therefore, it is the duty of the 1 st Respondent to compensate the Applicant.
The law on the point as succinctly pronounced in Joseph Boru Ngera & Another vs. Kenya Wildlife Service vs. Rift Valley Agricultural Contractors Limited (2014) eKLR where the Court stated: -
“The cabinet secretary referred to in the Act pays money on behalf of the appellant. Neither the court nor the parties should concern themselves with the internal arrangements of the appellant as to whether it is the CEO of the appellant or the Cabinet Secretary who should disburse the money.”
Again, The Supreme Court in Kenya Wildlife Service – Vs. Rift Valley Agricultural Contractors Limited, Supreme Court Petition No. 11 of 2015 (2018) eKLR stated as follows at paragraph 66:
“A global comparison of laws and jurisprudence relating to animal and wildlife management normally provide that an entity charged with such a management task also collects the revenues generated from activities relating to the same. The rationale being that such revenue supports the costs of management and any related outcomes, including compensation for damage made by animals and wildlife…. The Wild life Act gives responsibility to Kenya Wildlife Service as the park revenue collector to compensate for damages occasioned by wild animals.
Counsel further stated in view of the foregoing, it is evident that the duty to pay compensation has been positively determined by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, it was therefore submitted that the Respondent is liable to compensate the ex parte Applicant; the applicant’s claim having been approved following the laid down procedures under Section 25 of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act as stated above. The Respondent therefore owes the applicant the amount of Ksh5,000,000/= as compensation for the fatal injury of her next of kin.
11. The third issue is whether the Expate Applicant is entitled to the order of mandamus, it is noted that the Applicant has moved this court to compel the Respondents to satisfy a recommendation by the relevant compensation committees as compensation for the death of her next of kin in the sum of Kshs5000,000/=. That it is not in dispute both the County Ministerial Wild Life Compensation Committee recommended for compensation in the sum of Kshs5,000,000/= to the exparte Applicant as provided for under Section 25 of the Act. Counsel further submitted that the Respondent has however failed to fulfil the said recommendation despite several follow ups by the ex parte Applicant and which has prompted the filing of the present application for mandamus.
12. The fourth issue, whether the Exparte Applicant is entitled to the order of mandamus, in the present application, the Exparte Applicant has moved this Honourable Court to compel the Respondents, particularly 1 st Respondent to satisfy a recommendation by the 2 nd Respondent and approved by the 3 rd Respondent as compensation for the death of her husband in the sum of Ksh. 5,000,000/=; it is not disputed that the said claim was to be settled within 60 days as per the Regulations enacted under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act of 2017. It is 8 years since the claim was reported and over 4 years since the compensation was approved; that the 1 st Respondent has failed to satisfy the said recommendation despite several follow ups by the ex parte Applicant prompting him to file the present application for mandamus.
Reliance was placed in the case of Kenya Wildlife Service vs. Awuor (Civil Appeal E013 of 2022) (2023) KEHC 3721 (KLR) (26 April 2023) (Judgment) and Kenya Wildlife Service vs Abraham M’ngai M’tumitu [2021] Eklr which held as follows:
“clearly the appellant having awarded amount under the Act, further intervention in court could only have been by the appeal process following upon the provision of the section, that is to say through the mechanism of a first appeal court. the respondent may have opted to pursue its claim for compensation in negligence for damages for personal injury in the civil court as an alternative to the statutory compensation mechanism. Without deciding, I would consider that the respondent may also have pursued judicial review remedy in the High Court, if so advised by his advocates, for the award of the full award of compensation prescribed under the Act. The respondent may also, as he may be advised by his legal advisors, file an application for extension of time to pursue the appeal process set out in Section 25 (6) of the Act.”
Again, in the case of Republic v Kenya Wildlife Service & 2 Others, Muhia (Exparte Applicant) (Judicial Review Application E003 of 20204) KEHC 8086 KLR where the High Court faced with a similar application as the present one in Court and relying on the above authorities held that he Ex parte Applicant was within her right to file the Judicial Review Application. The court went ahead and granted the Application for an order of mandamus compelling the 1 st Respondent to pay the amount of 5,000,000/= as compensation for the death of the deceased. Also the case of Salonik Murunya Parmuai Vs Kenya Wildlife Service and County Wildlife Compensation Committee Narok High Court JR No. E002 of 2024 where the court faced with a similar case like the present one held that the Exparte Applicant was within his right to file Judicial Review application for an order of mandamus compelling the Respondent (KWS) to pay the sum of Kshs 5,000,000/ as compensation for the death of the deceased. In light of the foregoing cases, and Regulations, it is submitted that the exparte applicants are within their right to file the instant judicial review to enforce the compensation.; it is concluded that, the exparte Applicants have shown that the Wildlife Conservation and Management Committee recommended for compensation in the sum of Ksh5,000,000/= for the death of the deceased as provided for under Section 25 of the Act. Having established that the 1 st Respondent’s duty to manage and conserve wildlife comes with the attendant responsibility to shoulder any claim of loss or damage caused by the breach of that duty, it is the ex parte Applicant’s case that the 1 st Respondent has failed to satisfy the recommendation for compensation within 60 days from reporting of the claim as per the Regulations. It was finally submitted that the ex parte Applicant is entitled to the order of mandamus as sought in the application before this court; that the cost of the application be awarded to the Exparte Applicant.
13. The 1 st Respondent vide submissions dated 1 st February 2026 raised two issues for determination namely whether the relief of mandamus lies where an administrative body has substantially undertaken its duty without supervision and secondly, whether the 1 st Respondent is a proper party in this proceeding and if so, whether the orders sought against it are available to the exparte Applicants.
14. As regards the 1 st issue, learned counsel submitted that pursuant to the replying affidavit of Amos Nyaoro, the claim has been deliberated upon by two committees prescribed under Section 25 of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act and that the exparte Applicants have since been paid a sum of Kshs999,770/= with the remainder set to be cleared in April 2026 when the next disbursement occurs. It was contended by the counsel that the management on the issue of compensation is so seamless and that it requires no supervision from the court and as such mandamus would not lie in the circumstances since such relief is only applicable where inaction persists.
15. It was also submitted that the purpose of judicial review is to provide a remedy where there is mal-administration and that in the present case the laxity was on the part of the Applicants who failed to provide the relevant information on the account number into which the funds would be remitted and therefore the 1 st Respondent should not be blamed. Further, it was contended that the 1 st Respondent other than being the secretary to the committee as provided for in Section 18 of the WCMA Act, it does not make decisions regarding human wildlife conflict which is a preserve of the committee and therefore the claim that the 1 st Respondent is responsible for compensation of such claim is utterly misleading.
16. As regards the 2 nd issue, learned counsel submitted that the 1 st Respondent is an improper party in these proceedings and therefore the relief sought against it cannot be granted. Reliance was placed in the following cases:
i) Republic v. County Government of Nairobi & 2 others Exparte Kingpot Limited [2021] eKLR the court stated:
“22. In determining these issues, it is crucial to first lay down the principles that guide the court when dealing with the judicial review remedy of mandamus, which the exparte Applicant is seeking. The Court of Appeal in commission on Administrative Justice vs. Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Board & 2 Others [2019] eKLR stated as follows:
“ As observed by the Judge and correctly so in our view, the principle that guides the High Court when dealing with the scope and efficacy of an order of mandamus was crystalized by the court in Kenya National Examination Council v Republic Exparte Geoffrey Gathenji Njoroge & 9 Others (supra) namely:
“The order of mandamus is of most extensive remedial nature and is in the form of a command issuing from the High Court of Justice directed to any person, corporation or inferior tribunal requiring him or them to do some particular thing therein specified which appertains to his or their office and is of the nature of a public duty. Its purpose is to remedy the defects of justice and accordingly it will issue to the end that justice may be done, in all cases where there is a special legal right, and it may issue in cases where although there is an alternative remedy, yet the mode of redress is not convenient, beneficial and effectual.”
ii) In Republic v. Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Board & Another Exparte Eng. Judah Abekah [2015] eKLR, the court quoted the Court of Appeal decision in Kenya National Examination Council Vs. Republic Exparte Geoffrey Gathenji Njoroge, which quoted paragraph 90 Halsbury’s Law of England 4 th Edition Volume 1 at 11:
“The order must command no more than the party against whom the application is made is legally bound to perform. Where a general duty is imposed, a mandamus cannot require it to be done at once. Where a statute, which imposes a duty leaves discretion as to the mode of performing the duty in ten ands of the party on whom the obligation is laid, a mandamus cannot command the duty in question to be carried out in a specific way.”
iii) In Republic v Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Board & Another Exparte Eng. Judah Abekah [2015] eKLR, the court stated:
In Republic v The Commissioner of Lands and Another ex Parte Kithinji Murugu M’agere, Nairobi High Court Misc. Application No. 395 of 2012, G. V. Odunga, J explored the circumstances under which an order of mandamus can issue. I beg to quote him at length as follows:
A party in a judicial review seeking an order of mandamus must show the existence of a statutory duty conferred or invested by statute upon some person, body of persons or tribunal which such person, body of persons or tribunal has failed to perform. See Republic vs. Registrar of Societies & 5 Others exparte Kenyatta & 6 Others Nairobi HCMCA No. 747 of 2006[2008] 3KLR (EP) 521.
iv) In Republic v. Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Board Another Exparte Eng. Judah Abekah [2015] eKLR stated:
“From the cited decisions, it is apparent that an order of mandamus will issue to compel the performance of a statutory duty owed to an Applicant. Therefore, the fulcrum of an order of mandamus is that a statuary duty must be owed to an Applicant and the public officer or public body after being asked to perform the duty, has refused or failed to discharge that duty and there is no other adequate remedy.
v) In Republic v County Government of Nairobi & 2 Others Exparte Kinspot Limited [2021] eKLR the Court in declining to grant orders of mandamus against the 3 rd Respondent (County Executive Member Land and Urban Planning) stated that the 3 rd Respondent not being the accounting officer (who was statutorily bound to satisfy a court decree) had no role in the proceedings and had been improperly joined. The court stated:
“whereas the Exparte Applicant is correct that the 3 rd Respondent is Line Minister in matters land, it is apparent that he has no role in this proceeding. This is a case of mis-joinder.”
It was therefore submitted that the 1 st Respondent is improperly joined in these proceedings since the duty in question is about compensation for losses and damage caused by wildlife and not the duty to manage wildlife. It was further contended that compensation for claims of loss and damage caused by wildlife is clearly provided for under Section 24 and 25 of the Act. Section 24 provides as follows:
“1) The Government shall establish a wildlife compensation scheme…
2) The wildlife compensation scheme shall be used for financing compensation claims for human death or injury or crop and property damage caused by wildlife.
Section 25 provides:
1) Where any person suffers any bodily injury or killed by any wildlife listed under the 3 rd schedule, the person injured or in the case of a deceased person, the personal representative or successor or assign, may launch a claim to the County Wildlife Conservation and Compensation Committee within the jurisdiction established thereon.
2) The County Wildlife Conservation and Compensation Committee established under Section 18 shall verify a claim made under subsection (1) and upon verification, submit the claim to the Cabinet Secretary together with its recommendations thereon.
3) The Cabinet Secretary shall consider the recommendations made under subsection (2) and where appropriate, pay compensation to the claimant as follows: -
a) in the case of death, five million shillings.
b) in the case of injury occasioning permanent disability, three million shillings.
c) In case of any other injury, a maximum of two million shillings, depending on the extent of the injury.
16. It was finally submitted that the Exparte Applicants are not entitled to the order of mandamus as sought against the 1 st Respondent since that duty lies elsewhere. Hence, application should be dismissed with costs to the 1 st Respondent.
17. I have considered the application, rival affidavits and submissions of learned counsels. It is not in dispute that the 1 st Respondent has since arranged with the Wildlife Conservation and Management Committee and made an initial payment of compensation to the Applicants in the sum of Kshs999,770/= and that the balance is yet to be paid. I find the following issues necessary for determination:
i) Whether the 1 st Respondent is statutorily bound to manage national parks and reserves.
ii) Whether the 1 st Respondent is mandated to compensate the exparte Applicants.
iii) Whether the exparte Applicants are entitled to the order for mandamus.
18. As regards the first issue, it is noted that learned counsel for the 1 st Respondent has admitted that the 1 st Respondent is statutorily bound to manage national parks and reserves. The said function is found in Section 7 of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act which outlines the functions of the Kenya Wildlife Services as follows:
a) Conserves and manage national park, wildlife conservation areas, and sanctuaries under its authority.
b) Provide security for wildlife and visitors in national parks, wildlife conservation areas and sanctuaries.
19. From the foregoing provision, it is clear that the 1 st Respondent is established to perform key functions namely conserve and manage national parks, wildlife conservation areas and sanctuaries under its jurisdiction as well as provide security for wildlife and visitors in national parks, wildlife conservation areas and sanctuaries. From those duties the 1 st Respondent has the sole mandate to manage and control wildlife. Hence, upto that point the exparte Applicants and the 1 st Respondent are in agreement that it is the sole mandate of the 1 st Respondent to control wildlife in Kenya.
20. Even though the 1 st Respondent seems to contend that certain functions have been ceded to other organs, the truth is that the 1 st Respondent is still the entity in charge of all wildlife in the country and that all issues and questions regarding the actions, damage caused by the wildlife must be placed at the doorstep of the 1 st Respondent. The Supreme Court, in the case of Kenya Wildlife Service vs. Rift Valley Agricultural Contractors Limited [2018] eKLR, held that the Appellant had the statutory duty to control wildlife by dint of Section 3A (1) of the Wildlife Act and held as follows:
The Appellant’s obligations under Section 3A(l) could not and were not abdicated in favour of or transferred to Narok County Government. Without belaboring on this point any further, we find that the breach of Section 3A (l) imposes a liability on the Appellant to compensate for destruction of crops by wildlife.
21. As regards the second issue, and as noted in issue (i), the 1 st Respondent is mandated to manage national parks, wildlife conservation areas and sanctuaries under its jurisdiction. Flowing from that function, it is also its duty to compensate the exparte Applicants by dint of the provisions of Section 3A and 7 of the Act. Further, the compensation regime is found in Section 25 of the Act which provides for the procedure to be followed for payment of damages by a claimant who opts to pursue his claim under the Act as was done by the exparte Applicants which is as follows:
“1. Where any person suffers any bodily injury or is killed by any wildlife listed under the Third Schedule, the person injured, or in the case of a deceased person, the personal representatives or successor or assign, may launch a claim to the County Wild life Conservation and Compensation Committee within the jurisdiction established under this Act.
2. The County Wildlife Conservation and Compensation Committee established under Section 18 shall verify a claim made under Section 18 shall verify a claim made under sub section (1) and upon verification, submit the claim to the cabinet secretary together with its recommendation.
3. The Cabinet Secretary shall consider the recommendations made under sub section (2) and where appropriate pay compensation to the claimant as follows: -
a) In the case of death, five million shillings.
b) In the case of injury occasioning permanent disability, three million shillings.
c) In case of any other injury, a maximum of two million shillings, depending on the extent of the injury.
That it is not in dispute the Applicant’s request for compensation has already been vetted and approved by the 2 nd and 3 rd Respondents in the sum of Kshs5,000,000/=. That the 1 st Respondent has maintained that it is not its duty to compensate the Applicant. That under Section 6 and 7 of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013, the 1 st Respondent has obligations under the Act and cannot therefore run away from them. In the same vein, the duty to compensate victims arising from human-wildlife conflicts is squarely on its shoulders to discharge. Section 25 of the Act provides as follows:
1. When anybody suffers any bodily injury or is killed by any wildlife listed under the Third schedule, the person injured, or in the case of a deceased person, the personal representatives or successor or assign, may launch a claim to the County Wildlife Conservation and Compensation Committee within the jurisdiction established under this Act.
2. The County Wildlife Conservation and Compensation Committee set up under Section 18 shall verify a claim made under Section 18 shall verify a claim made under subsection (1) and upon verification, give the claim to the cabinet secretary together with its recommendation thereon.
3. The Cabinet Secretary shall consider the recommendations made under subsection (2) and, where proper pay compensation to the claimant as follows:
a) in the case of death, five million shillings.
b) in the case of injury occasioning permanent disability, three million shillings.
c) In case of any other injury, a maximum of two million shillings, depending on the extent of the injury.
Since the 1 st Respondent has admitted its duty under Section 7 of the Act namely to manage and conserve wildlife, I find that it is liable under the tort of negligence
[...truncated]
2. The application is supported by the supporting affidavit of one of the Exparte Applicant one Elizabeth Kadogo Maugo sworn on even dates which states inter alia; that the Exparte Applicants are the legal representative of the deceased, Godfrey Onyango Odwory ; that on 16 th January 2017, the deceased was viciously attacked by a hippo while fishing at lake Victoria within Busembe Sub Location occasioning him fatal injuries as a result of the 1 st Respondent’s negligence and breach of statutory duty as governed by the provisions of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act No. 47 of 2013; that the Exparte Applicants reported the matter at Sio- Port police station and that the 1 st Respondent’s Officers came and took the details and promised to compensate them for the death of their kin; that the exparte applicants thereafter applied for compensation by filing the claim form provided by the 1 st Respondent; that the 1 st Respondent convened a meeting of a Community Wildlife Conservation Committee (MWCC) that validates and approves payment of the awards by the aforesaid committee; that on following up at the Kenya Wildlife office in Busia County the Exparte Applicants were informed that the Ministerial Wildlife Compensation Committee had approved the award of Kshs5,000,000/= for settlement of the claim; that in spite of the foregoing, they are yet to receive the compensation resulting from the death of their kin; that the Exparte Applicants have on various occasions made a follow up on the compensation but the 1 st Respondent has not been forthcoming and has been taking them round in circles; that the Exparte Applicants have now waited for close toeight(8) years and the Respondents are yet to make good the compensation even after requisite meetings and approval of the claim by relevant committees; that the Respondents continue to unjustifiably delay the compensation without any plausible explanation; that this application is meritorious and has been brought without unreasonable delay; that the Exparte Applicants are apprehensive that unless this court intervenes and compels the Respondent to act on their decision and settle the claim, the Respondent will continue to ignore the Applicants’ demand for compensation and thus corrode and erode the confidence of the Applicants and the general public in the efficiency of the administrative process of Kenya; that it is therefore important that this matter be heard as a matter of urgency for just and expeditious disposal and that it is just, fair and equitable that the orders sought herein be granted to the Applicants.
3. The application was opposed by the 1 st Respondent who filed a replying affidavit dated 21 st November 2025 sworn by Amos Nyaoro and who deponed inter alia; that he is warden of the 1 st Respondent stationed within Western Conservation area fully conversant with the facts of the case; that the Applicants averments are misleading and false; that the Claimants pursued the procedure laid down in Section 25 of the EMCA 2013 after the demise of the deceased culminating in approval of Kshs5,000,000/=; that the next of kin Violet Mugeni has since been allocated a portion of the approved compensation amounting to Ksh1,484,000/= being the first instalment payment directly to the claimant’s account; that the alleged delay in compensation is not a result of the 1 st Respondents inaction but a possible technical error considering the window that claimants herein provided two separate bank account numbers instead of just one as a result of which the remittance system was not successful; that once rectified, the part payment shall be made awaiting the next tranch of payments due in April 2026.
4. The application was canvassed by way of written submissions. Both parties duly filed and exchanged submissions. The Applicant’s submissions are dated 19 th January 2026 whereas the 1 st Respondent’s submissions are dated. 1 st February 2026.
5. I have considered the application, rival affidavits as well as the rival submissions. It is not in dispute that the Applicant’s request for compensation has already been vetted and approved by the Ministerial Wildlife Compensation Committee in the sum of Ksh 5,000,000/= and that a part payment has been made in the sum of Ksh1,484,000/= with the balance thereof being awaited in the month of April 2026. The issue for determination is whether the application has merit.
6. The Applicants are the legal representatives of the deceased who was killed by a hippo while conducting fishing near Lake Victoria.
The Applicant’s submissions are that; through his advocate filed an application dated 19 th September 2025 having been granted leave to do so by this court which seeks for an order of mandamus to compel the Respondents and especially the Respondent to release the sum of Ksh5,000,000/= to the Exparte Applicants’ Advocate as outlined on the grounds in support of the application.
The issues for determination are as follows: -
a) Whether the 1 st Respondent is statutorily bound to manage parks and reserves.
b) Whether the Respondent is mandated to compensate the Exparte applicant.
c) What are the timelines within which the Applicant’s claim should be settled
d) Whether the Exparte Applicant is entitled to the orders of mandamus.
7. On the 1 st issue , of whether the Respondent is statutorily bound to manage national parks and reserves, according to the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013 Section 6 and 7.
“ 7, the function of the Service shall be to-
a) Conserve and manage national parks, wildlife conservation areas, and sanctuaries under its jurisdiction;
b) Provide security for wild life and visitors in national parks, wildlife conservation areas and sanctuaries;
The legal capacity and the mandate of the Respondent with regards to this case is clear from the above provisions. Amongst them includes management of the National parks, Wildlife Conservation areas and sanctuaries under its jurisdiction. This would imply that he Respondent has a statutory mandate to control wildlife.
8. On the second issue on whether the Respondent has the mandate to compensate the Exparte Applicant, it is worth noting that having established that the Respondent has the mandate to control wild life under the Act with the attendant duty to compensate the Claimant within 60 days from the date of reporting, the next question would be whether they are charged with the responsibility of compensation for claims made under the Act. In answering this question, we will outline the procedure to be followed for payment of damages by a Claimant who opts to pursue a claim under the Act as was done by the ex parte applicant. The same is outlined under Section 25 of the Act which provides as follows:
Section 25
1) Where any person suffers any bodily injury or is killed by any wildlife listed under the Third Schedule, the person injured, or in the case of a deceased person, the personal representatives or successor or assign, may launch a claim to the County Wild life Conservation and Compensation Committee within the jurisdiction established under this Act.
2) The County Wildlife Conservation and Compensation Committee established under Section 18 shall verify a claim made under Section 18 shall verify a claim made under sub section (1) and upon verification, submit the claim t the cabinet secretary together with its recommendation.
3) The Cabinet Secretary shall consider the recommendations made under sub section (2) and where appropriate pay compensation to the claimant as follows: -
a) In the case of death, five million shillings.
b) In the case of injury occasioning permanent disability, three million shillings.
c) In case of any other injury, a maximum of two million shillings, depending on the extent of the injury.
9. Counsel placed reliance in the Court of Appeal case of Kenya Wildlife Service vs. Joseph Musyoki Kalonzo [2017] eKLR , where the court reinstated that the duty to manage the National parks and reserves comes with the attendant responsibility to shoulder claims arising out of loss, injury or damage caused to property and human life by wildlife and which stipulated as follows on the issue: -
“The Appellant admits the duty to manage and conserve wildlife. That duty comes with the attendant responsibility to shoulder any claim of loss or damage caused by the breach of that duty.
10. Also, in the case of Joseph Boro Ngera & Supaduka Nakuru Vs. Kenya Wildlife Service Civil Appeal NO. 71 of 1997. The Appellate Court observed that the duty to manage national parks and reserves comes with the attendant responsibility to shoulder claims arising out of loss, injury or damage to property and human life. Therefore, it is the duty of the 1 st Respondent to compensate the Applicant.
The law on the point as succinctly pronounced in Joseph Boru Ngera & Another vs. Kenya Wildlife Service vs. Rift Valley Agricultural Contractors Limited (2014) eKLR where the Court stated: -
“The cabinet secretary referred to in the Act pays money on behalf of the appellant. Neither the court nor the parties should concern themselves with the internal arrangements of the appellant as to whether it is the CEO of the appellant or the Cabinet Secretary who should disburse the money.”
Again, The Supreme Court in Kenya Wildlife Service – Vs. Rift Valley Agricultural Contractors Limited, Supreme Court Petition No. 11 of 2015 (2018) eKLR stated as follows at paragraph 66:
“A global comparison of laws and jurisprudence relating to animal and wildlife management normally provide that an entity charged with such a management task also collects the revenues generated from activities relating to the same. The rationale being that such revenue supports the costs of management and any related outcomes, including compensation for damage made by animals and wildlife…. The Wild life Act gives responsibility to Kenya Wildlife Service as the park revenue collector to compensate for damages occasioned by wild animals.
Counsel further stated in view of the foregoing, it is evident that the duty to pay compensation has been positively determined by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, it was therefore submitted that the Respondent is liable to compensate the ex parte Applicant; the applicant’s claim having been approved following the laid down procedures under Section 25 of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act as stated above. The Respondent therefore owes the applicant the amount of Ksh5,000,000/= as compensation for the fatal injury of her next of kin.
11. The third issue is whether the Expate Applicant is entitled to the order of mandamus, it is noted that the Applicant has moved this court to compel the Respondents to satisfy a recommendation by the relevant compensation committees as compensation for the death of her next of kin in the sum of Kshs5000,000/=. That it is not in dispute both the County Ministerial Wild Life Compensation Committee recommended for compensation in the sum of Kshs5,000,000/= to the exparte Applicant as provided for under Section 25 of the Act. Counsel further submitted that the Respondent has however failed to fulfil the said recommendation despite several follow ups by the ex parte Applicant and which has prompted the filing of the present application for mandamus.
12. The fourth issue, whether the Exparte Applicant is entitled to the order of mandamus, in the present application, the Exparte Applicant has moved this Honourable Court to compel the Respondents, particularly 1 st Respondent to satisfy a recommendation by the 2 nd Respondent and approved by the 3 rd Respondent as compensation for the death of her husband in the sum of Ksh. 5,000,000/=; it is not disputed that the said claim was to be settled within 60 days as per the Regulations enacted under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act of 2017. It is 8 years since the claim was reported and over 4 years since the compensation was approved; that the 1 st Respondent has failed to satisfy the said recommendation despite several follow ups by the ex parte Applicant prompting him to file the present application for mandamus.
Reliance was placed in the case of Kenya Wildlife Service vs. Awuor (Civil Appeal E013 of 2022) (2023) KEHC 3721 (KLR) (26 April 2023) (Judgment) and Kenya Wildlife Service vs Abraham M’ngai M’tumitu [2021] Eklr which held as follows:
“clearly the appellant having awarded amount under the Act, further intervention in court could only have been by the appeal process following upon the provision of the section, that is to say through the mechanism of a first appeal court. the respondent may have opted to pursue its claim for compensation in negligence for damages for personal injury in the civil court as an alternative to the statutory compensation mechanism. Without deciding, I would consider that the respondent may also have pursued judicial review remedy in the High Court, if so advised by his advocates, for the award of the full award of compensation prescribed under the Act. The respondent may also, as he may be advised by his legal advisors, file an application for extension of time to pursue the appeal process set out in Section 25 (6) of the Act.”
Again, in the case of Republic v Kenya Wildlife Service & 2 Others, Muhia (Exparte Applicant) (Judicial Review Application E003 of 20204) KEHC 8086 KLR where the High Court faced with a similar application as the present one in Court and relying on the above authorities held that he Ex parte Applicant was within her right to file the Judicial Review Application. The court went ahead and granted the Application for an order of mandamus compelling the 1 st Respondent to pay the amount of 5,000,000/= as compensation for the death of the deceased. Also the case of Salonik Murunya Parmuai Vs Kenya Wildlife Service and County Wildlife Compensation Committee Narok High Court JR No. E002 of 2024 where the court faced with a similar case like the present one held that the Exparte Applicant was within his right to file Judicial Review application for an order of mandamus compelling the Respondent (KWS) to pay the sum of Kshs 5,000,000/ as compensation for the death of the deceased. In light of the foregoing cases, and Regulations, it is submitted that the exparte applicants are within their right to file the instant judicial review to enforce the compensation.; it is concluded that, the exparte Applicants have shown that the Wildlife Conservation and Management Committee recommended for compensation in the sum of Ksh5,000,000/= for the death of the deceased as provided for under Section 25 of the Act. Having established that the 1 st Respondent’s duty to manage and conserve wildlife comes with the attendant responsibility to shoulder any claim of loss or damage caused by the breach of that duty, it is the ex parte Applicant’s case that the 1 st Respondent has failed to satisfy the recommendation for compensation within 60 days from reporting of the claim as per the Regulations. It was finally submitted that the ex parte Applicant is entitled to the order of mandamus as sought in the application before this court; that the cost of the application be awarded to the Exparte Applicant.
13. The 1 st Respondent vide submissions dated 1 st February 2026 raised two issues for determination namely whether the relief of mandamus lies where an administrative body has substantially undertaken its duty without supervision and secondly, whether the 1 st Respondent is a proper party in this proceeding and if so, whether the orders sought against it are available to the exparte Applicants.
14. As regards the 1 st issue, learned counsel submitted that pursuant to the replying affidavit of Amos Nyaoro, the claim has been deliberated upon by two committees prescribed under Section 25 of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act and that the exparte Applicants have since been paid a sum of Kshs999,770/= with the remainder set to be cleared in April 2026 when the next disbursement occurs. It was contended by the counsel that the management on the issue of compensation is so seamless and that it requires no supervision from the court and as such mandamus would not lie in the circumstances since such relief is only applicable where inaction persists.
15. It was also submitted that the purpose of judicial review is to provide a remedy where there is mal-administration and that in the present case the laxity was on the part of the Applicants who failed to provide the relevant information on the account number into which the funds would be remitted and therefore the 1 st Respondent should not be blamed. Further, it was contended that the 1 st Respondent other than being the secretary to the committee as provided for in Section 18 of the WCMA Act, it does not make decisions regarding human wildlife conflict which is a preserve of the committee and therefore the claim that the 1 st Respondent is responsible for compensation of such claim is utterly misleading.
16. As regards the 2 nd issue, learned counsel submitted that the 1 st Respondent is an improper party in these proceedings and therefore the relief sought against it cannot be granted. Reliance was placed in the following cases:
i) Republic v. County Government of Nairobi & 2 others Exparte Kingpot Limited [2021] eKLR the court stated:
“22. In determining these issues, it is crucial to first lay down the principles that guide the court when dealing with the judicial review remedy of mandamus, which the exparte Applicant is seeking. The Court of Appeal in commission on Administrative Justice vs. Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Board & 2 Others [2019] eKLR stated as follows:
“ As observed by the Judge and correctly so in our view, the principle that guides the High Court when dealing with the scope and efficacy of an order of mandamus was crystalized by the court in Kenya National Examination Council v Republic Exparte Geoffrey Gathenji Njoroge & 9 Others (supra) namely:
“The order of mandamus is of most extensive remedial nature and is in the form of a command issuing from the High Court of Justice directed to any person, corporation or inferior tribunal requiring him or them to do some particular thing therein specified which appertains to his or their office and is of the nature of a public duty. Its purpose is to remedy the defects of justice and accordingly it will issue to the end that justice may be done, in all cases where there is a special legal right, and it may issue in cases where although there is an alternative remedy, yet the mode of redress is not convenient, beneficial and effectual.”
ii) In Republic v. Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Board & Another Exparte Eng. Judah Abekah [2015] eKLR, the court quoted the Court of Appeal decision in Kenya National Examination Council Vs. Republic Exparte Geoffrey Gathenji Njoroge, which quoted paragraph 90 Halsbury’s Law of England 4 th Edition Volume 1 at 11:
“The order must command no more than the party against whom the application is made is legally bound to perform. Where a general duty is imposed, a mandamus cannot require it to be done at once. Where a statute, which imposes a duty leaves discretion as to the mode of performing the duty in ten ands of the party on whom the obligation is laid, a mandamus cannot command the duty in question to be carried out in a specific way.”
iii) In Republic v Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Board & Another Exparte Eng. Judah Abekah [2015] eKLR, the court stated:
In Republic v The Commissioner of Lands and Another ex Parte Kithinji Murugu M’agere, Nairobi High Court Misc. Application No. 395 of 2012, G. V. Odunga, J explored the circumstances under which an order of mandamus can issue. I beg to quote him at length as follows:
A party in a judicial review seeking an order of mandamus must show the existence of a statutory duty conferred or invested by statute upon some person, body of persons or tribunal which such person, body of persons or tribunal has failed to perform. See Republic vs. Registrar of Societies & 5 Others exparte Kenyatta & 6 Others Nairobi HCMCA No. 747 of 2006[2008] 3KLR (EP) 521.
iv) In Republic v. Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Board Another Exparte Eng. Judah Abekah [2015] eKLR stated:
“From the cited decisions, it is apparent that an order of mandamus will issue to compel the performance of a statutory duty owed to an Applicant. Therefore, the fulcrum of an order of mandamus is that a statuary duty must be owed to an Applicant and the public officer or public body after being asked to perform the duty, has refused or failed to discharge that duty and there is no other adequate remedy.
v) In Republic v County Government of Nairobi & 2 Others Exparte Kinspot Limited [2021] eKLR the Court in declining to grant orders of mandamus against the 3 rd Respondent (County Executive Member Land and Urban Planning) stated that the 3 rd Respondent not being the accounting officer (who was statutorily bound to satisfy a court decree) had no role in the proceedings and had been improperly joined. The court stated:
“whereas the Exparte Applicant is correct that the 3 rd Respondent is Line Minister in matters land, it is apparent that he has no role in this proceeding. This is a case of mis-joinder.”
It was therefore submitted that the 1 st Respondent is improperly joined in these proceedings since the duty in question is about compensation for losses and damage caused by wildlife and not the duty to manage wildlife. It was further contended that compensation for claims of loss and damage caused by wildlife is clearly provided for under Section 24 and 25 of the Act. Section 24 provides as follows:
“1) The Government shall establish a wildlife compensation scheme…
2) The wildlife compensation scheme shall be used for financing compensation claims for human death or injury or crop and property damage caused by wildlife.
Section 25 provides:
1) Where any person suffers any bodily injury or killed by any wildlife listed under the 3 rd schedule, the person injured or in the case of a deceased person, the personal representative or successor or assign, may launch a claim to the County Wildlife Conservation and Compensation Committee within the jurisdiction established thereon.
2) The County Wildlife Conservation and Compensation Committee established under Section 18 shall verify a claim made under subsection (1) and upon verification, submit the claim to the Cabinet Secretary together with its recommendations thereon.
3) The Cabinet Secretary shall consider the recommendations made under subsection (2) and where appropriate, pay compensation to the claimant as follows: -
a) in the case of death, five million shillings.
b) in the case of injury occasioning permanent disability, three million shillings.
c) In case of any other injury, a maximum of two million shillings, depending on the extent of the injury.
16. It was finally submitted that the Exparte Applicants are not entitled to the order of mandamus as sought against the 1 st Respondent since that duty lies elsewhere. Hence, application should be dismissed with costs to the 1 st Respondent.
17. I have considered the application, rival affidavits and submissions of learned counsels. It is not in dispute that the 1 st Respondent has since arranged with the Wildlife Conservation and Management Committee and made an initial payment of compensation to the Applicants in the sum of Kshs999,770/= and that the balance is yet to be paid. I find the following issues necessary for determination:
i) Whether the 1 st Respondent is statutorily bound to manage national parks and reserves.
ii) Whether the 1 st Respondent is mandated to compensate the exparte Applicants.
iii) Whether the exparte Applicants are entitled to the order for mandamus.
18. As regards the first issue, it is noted that learned counsel for the 1 st Respondent has admitted that the 1 st Respondent is statutorily bound to manage national parks and reserves. The said function is found in Section 7 of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act which outlines the functions of the Kenya Wildlife Services as follows:
a) Conserves and manage national park, wildlife conservation areas, and sanctuaries under its authority.
b) Provide security for wildlife and visitors in national parks, wildlife conservation areas and sanctuaries.
19. From the foregoing provision, it is clear that the 1 st Respondent is established to perform key functions namely conserve and manage national parks, wildlife conservation areas and sanctuaries under its jurisdiction as well as provide security for wildlife and visitors in national parks, wildlife conservation areas and sanctuaries. From those duties the 1 st Respondent has the sole mandate to manage and control wildlife. Hence, upto that point the exparte Applicants and the 1 st Respondent are in agreement that it is the sole mandate of the 1 st Respondent to control wildlife in Kenya.
20. Even though the 1 st Respondent seems to contend that certain functions have been ceded to other organs, the truth is that the 1 st Respondent is still the entity in charge of all wildlife in the country and that all issues and questions regarding the actions, damage caused by the wildlife must be placed at the doorstep of the 1 st Respondent. The Supreme Court, in the case of Kenya Wildlife Service vs. Rift Valley Agricultural Contractors Limited [2018] eKLR, held that the Appellant had the statutory duty to control wildlife by dint of Section 3A (1) of the Wildlife Act and held as follows:
The Appellant’s obligations under Section 3A(l) could not and were not abdicated in favour of or transferred to Narok County Government. Without belaboring on this point any further, we find that the breach of Section 3A (l) imposes a liability on the Appellant to compensate for destruction of crops by wildlife.
21. As regards the second issue, and as noted in issue (i), the 1 st Respondent is mandated to manage national parks, wildlife conservation areas and sanctuaries under its jurisdiction. Flowing from that function, it is also its duty to compensate the exparte Applicants by dint of the provisions of Section 3A and 7 of the Act. Further, the compensation regime is found in Section 25 of the Act which provides for the procedure to be followed for payment of damages by a claimant who opts to pursue his claim under the Act as was done by the exparte Applicants which is as follows:
“1. Where any person suffers any bodily injury or is killed by any wildlife listed under the Third Schedule, the person injured, or in the case of a deceased person, the personal representatives or successor or assign, may launch a claim to the County Wild life Conservation and Compensation Committee within the jurisdiction established under this Act.
2. The County Wildlife Conservation and Compensation Committee established under Section 18 shall verify a claim made under Section 18 shall verify a claim made under sub section (1) and upon verification, submit the claim to the cabinet secretary together with its recommendation.
3. The Cabinet Secretary shall consider the recommendations made under sub section (2) and where appropriate pay compensation to the claimant as follows: -
a) In the case of death, five million shillings.
b) In the case of injury occasioning permanent disability, three million shillings.
c) In case of any other injury, a maximum of two million shillings, depending on the extent of the injury.
That it is not in dispute the Applicant’s request for compensation has already been vetted and approved by the 2 nd and 3 rd Respondents in the sum of Kshs5,000,000/=. That the 1 st Respondent has maintained that it is not its duty to compensate the Applicant. That under Section 6 and 7 of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013, the 1 st Respondent has obligations under the Act and cannot therefore run away from them. In the same vein, the duty to compensate victims arising from human-wildlife conflicts is squarely on its shoulders to discharge. Section 25 of the Act provides as follows:
1. When anybody suffers any bodily injury or is killed by any wildlife listed under the Third schedule, the person injured, or in the case of a deceased person, the personal representatives or successor or assign, may launch a claim to the County Wildlife Conservation and Compensation Committee within the jurisdiction established under this Act.
2. The County Wildlife Conservation and Compensation Committee set up under Section 18 shall verify a claim made under Section 18 shall verify a claim made under subsection (1) and upon verification, give the claim to the cabinet secretary together with its recommendation thereon.
3. The Cabinet Secretary shall consider the recommendations made under subsection (2) and, where proper pay compensation to the claimant as follows:
a) in the case of death, five million shillings.
b) in the case of injury occasioning permanent disability, three million shillings.
c) In case of any other injury, a maximum of two million shillings, depending on the extent of the injury.
Since the 1 st Respondent has admitted its duty under Section 7 of the Act namely to manage and conserve wildlife, I find that it is liable under the tort of negligence
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