Nairobi — The Cabinet Secretary of Tourism and Wildlife Alfred Mutua has embarked on a fact-finding mission countrywide tours to assess the level of human-wildlife conflicts.

The tour will begin in Makueni County's Kibwezi and Mtito-Andei where human-wildlife conflict has been rampant.

In a statement, the CS Mutua stated that his visit was intended to be a turning point in efforts to mitigate human-wildlife conflict in the region.

"As the human population increased and encroached upon traditional wildlife habitats, conflicts have surged. Crop damage, livestock predation and even occasional attacks on villagers by wildlife are among the issues that require urgent attention," Mutua stated.

"Today, Monday, October 23, I begin my country-wide tours to assess the level of human-wildlife conflict with a tour of Kibwezi and Mtito-Andei regions. I will visit homesteads to hear from those who have been affected by human-wildlife conflict and discuss issues around compensation and fencing," he said.

On the agenda will be local communities' mechanisms of reducing human-wildlife conflict, compensation of victims and the implementation of effective fencing strategies.

Earlier this year The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) established a rapid response unit to patrol areas facing human-wildlife conflict.

The team dubbed, Problem Animal Management Unit, works with affected communities to stem human-wildlife conflict and encourage co-existence between wildlife and communities.

In July the government of Kenya launched payment of Kshs. 908 Million as compensation to family members killed, injured and their property destroyed by wildlife across the country.

Human - wildlife conflict has escalated in parks, reserves and sanctuaries due to persistent drought, encroachment and human activities leading to loss of life, losses in farms and death of livestock from predation by carnivores.