Kenya: Human-Wildlife Conflict Worries

Author(s)

By Kings Waweru, The Star

Date Published
The Laikipia county assembly suspended its business late last week to tour Rumuruti ward following complaints of human-wildlife conflicts.
 
Residents of Simotwo, Kapkures and Ndurumo said the area is experiencing food shortage and several people have been killed by wild animals.
 
“My maize crop was destroyed by zebras in Aiyam while elephants destroyed all fruit trees in my compound in Ndurumo. We have talked to the KWS and they said they would compensate those affected,” said Naomi Muthui, the chief of Ndurumo.
 
At Kapkures village, residents said elephants from Mutara ADC Farm terrorise them daily and have reduced them to paupers.
 
“Children are sleeping hungry because their parents cannot venture out for fear of elephants and buffaloes. Some cannot even go home from school,” said resident Isaac Chumo.