Residents of Taita-Taveta County have been strongly urged to desist from purchasing and consuming bushmeat, following rising fears over the spread of deadly zoonotic diseases from illegally slaughtered wildlife.
The warning was issued by Ken Omaria, the regional security coordinator at the Taita Taveta Wildlife Conservancy Association (TTWCA), during an exclusive interview with Sifa FM.
Mr. Omaria cautioned members of the public who buy such meat without verifying its origin or the cause of the animal’s death, emphasizing that they are exposing themselves to severe health hazards.
“Poaching not only threatens our wildlife biodiversity but also poses a severe public health risk. When you buy bushmeat from unknown sources, you have no way of knowing how that animal died or what diseases it might have been carrying,” Omaria warned during the interview. “Consumers are unknowingly putting their lives and families at risk of contracting unknown and potentially fatal illnesses.”
Echoing his sentiments, Francis Maghanga, a Community Ranger in the region, noted that many wild animals naturally carry pathogens that are highly transmissible to humans. He pointed out that poachers hunt indiscriminately without any regard for the health status of the animals, subsequently selling the meat to unsuspecting locals and compromising food safety and public health.
Beyond the immediate health risks, the conservation officials made a passionate appeal to the local community to collaborate with authorities in protecting and preserving wildlife.
They highlighted that the conservation sector remains a crucial economic driver for Taita-Taveta County, generating substantial revenue and supporting local livelihoods.
“Conservation is directly linked to the economic empowerment of our people. A thriving wildlife ecosystem ensures that the county receives its fair share of national government revenues,” Omaria stated, highlighting the connection to employment. “Furthermore, tourism creates sustainable job opportunities for our local youth, offering them a viable future away from the dangers of illegal poaching.”
To permanently shift communities away from the illicit wild meat trade, TTWCA partnered with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) to implement a project funded by the Darwin Initiative. The mission focuses on empowering residents with sustainable livelihoods that actively foster a peaceful coexistence between local communities and nature.
Following comprehensive livelihood training sessions conducted last year for members of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) in Maktau and Mwashoti (Mwatate Subcounty), as well as Chumvini and Njukini (Taveta Subcounty), the initiative has moved into a vital asset-distribution phase.
In Mwashoti and Maktau, 78 hardy Galla goats have already been officially handed over to organized VSLA groups.
Officials state that these animals are far more than mere livestock assets; they represent a structured alternative path toward total food security, reliable income generation, and climate resilience for families previously vulnerable to the temptations of illegal poaching.
