Laikipia residents demand electrical fence to deal with human-wildlife conflict

Residents of Laikipia West Sub County are protesting against the delayed erection of an electrical fence around Rumuruti forest – a move that is meant to keep wild animals from straying into human settlement.

The county administration had in the 2014-2015 Fiscal Year allocated Ksh96 million to put up a 60 kilometer electric fence to control human-wildlife conflict in the region, but the contractor who had been awarded the job allegedly withdrew his services after the county government failed to pay him his dues.

The angry residents complained that the tender was a sham, adding that the contractor’s work was sub-standard.

In a heated baraza at Gatundia Trading Center, the residents lamented that the county Governor Joshua Irungu failed to turn up for the meeting.

Affected residents decried the destruction of crops by wild animals, adding that the delay in the construction of the electric fence was negatively impacting the economy.

A resident, Peter Kamweru regretted that school going children go to school late for fear of being attacked by the animals and hence affecting their education.

Following the absence of the Governor at the meeting, the residents called on the National Government to intervene, adding that the county had failed them.

Governor Irungu blamed the stalemate on political interference but exuded confidence that the project would continue.

Cases of human-wildlife conflicts around the forests have, for decades now, become a major challenge to farmers.

Wild animals have invaded farms, destroying crops and disrupting economic activities.

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has been heavily criticised for failing to manage the wildlife issues in the country, especially after the gunning down of popular Nairobi national Park lion, Mohawk.