Hyenas kill 63 sheep at Samburu village

Residents of Ceki Village in Samburu County are counting losses after a pack of hyenas attacked and killed their flock of 63 sheep worth Sh600,000.

The hyenas which are believed to come from the nearby Kirisia forest have reportedly been terrorizing the residents and killing their animals.

Livestock owners in the area say cases of wild animals attacking their livestock usually go up during the rainy season, and appealed to the Kenya Wildlife Services to work on ensuring that such incidents do not happen.

The affected families are also asking the government to compensate them since they have no other source of livelihood.

“We would like the government, through Kenya wildlife service to pay us immediately,” said Lekato Jacqueline, one of the owners

Lekato further urged KWS to find a way of taming the wild animals, which have turned into enemies of the local residents.

Lekato added that human wildlife conflict in the area has continued for a long time, fearing that if it is not resolved it would lead to human or wildlife deaths.

“We have been able to count 30 hyenas but we don’t want to kill them, we are asking the government to find a solution,” said Christopher Leasainia, another resident.

While acknowledging that there is a huge population of Hyenas in the area, Samburu County Warden Richard Lemarkat said plans were underway to conduct a thorough search for the hyenas and trap them so as to solve the problem.

Lemarkart also urged area residents to engage in farming so as to discourage the predators.

KWS has since said that the owners of the livestock will be compensated.

By Josphister Lengarpatei