Nakuru residents fleeing as baboons raid villages

Residents of Nakuru East Constituency have appealed to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to come to their rescue and create a barrier between them and stray baboons from Lake Nakuru National Park so as to curb the human-wildlife conflict.

The residents lamented that they have faced numerous challenges from the stray baboons which have become a menace in the area that borders Lake Nakuru National Park.

Grace Njeri Kamau, who owns rentals in the area, says she has been forced to turn them into a day care after tenants kept off due to the fear of the baboons which roam around destroying property despite the matter having been reported to the Kenyan Wildlife Service.

“We have had this menace of baboons for so long. We have tried to report to the KWS but no action has been taken so we suffer in silence,” she said.

Similar sentiments are shared by Ms Miriam Muthoni, a resident in Free area, who was attacked by baboons while fetching water in her compound.

Muthoni is now nursing wounds on her back, hands and legs after the attack by the baboons which she says if the government and KWS will not intervene then the situation might be even worse.

“The baboons have really been stubborn. In the morning I was attacked by one while fetching water from the tap and sustained injuries on my back, hand and legs,” she said.

Some of the residents, especially tenants, have been forced to move out after they felt that they could not withstand the baboons menace in the area.

The baboons are said to act violently by beating the residents and especially women.

“At the moment, the baboons are now attacking even men in the area and we are worried with this kind of trend. One resident here was forced to move out after he could not withstand it.”

The residents have now threatened to kill the animals if KWS does not take immediate action.

Written by Disney Maloba