Kenya on Monday vowed to boost security around national parks and game reserves to minimize contact between wildlife, herders and farmers that has resulted in fatalities.

A middle-aged man died last week after he was mauled by a lion that had strayed from Nairobi National Park.

Najib Balala, cabinet secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, said the government will invest in modern surveillance technology and additional rangers to minimize contact between wild animals and communities.

"We have put strong measures in place to minimize human-wildlife conflict that has been on the rise due to encroachment of wildlife corridors through human settlement and climate change," said Balala. He made the remarks during a ceremony to honor wildlife rangers who have died in the line of duty. 

"The conflicts between animals in the wild and communities not only lead to loss of lives but also impact negatively on the economy hence the need to invest in new tools in order to contain this threat," said John Waweru, director-general of Kenya Wildlife Service. 

Meanwhile, Kenyan wildlife rangers have intensified the search for a lion that is suspected to be roaming in Nairobi's southwestern suburbs. The rapid growth of human settlements has often come at the detriment of movement of wildlife.

Balala said the government has earmarked additional resources to boost the ecological integrity of the parks and reduce the movement of wild animals into homesteads and farms. The government will fast-track compensation to families who lost a relative after an attack by carnivores or the giant mammals.

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