West Pokot farmers count losses after mysterious animal kills over 100 livestock

West Pokot farmers count losses after mysterious animal kills over 100 livestock

Farmers in Sereweo Village in West Pokot County are counting losses after unidentified wild animals attacked and killed their sheep numbering over 100 on Thursday night.

Loketi Koringiro, a pastoralist who lost some of his sheep in the night attack narrated: “I woke up at 3 am to find my more than 50 sheep killed and others lost. I was forced to shout to alert my neighbours”.

Mr Koringiro added that the wild animals first strangled the sheep and sucked their blood before killing them.

“We suspect it was a hyena or leopard,” he noted.

The farmers are now calling on the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to address the human-wildlife conflict in the area, which they argue has been causing panic.

A farmer displays some of the sheep slewn by wild animals
A farmer displays some of the sheep slewn by wild animals

“We want the KWS to come and contain the animals because this is a big loss to us. We depend on the animals when it comes to finance and this is such huge loss to us. It will be hard for us to pay school fees for our children,” said Daniel Kiptoo, another farmer.

The residents also want the government to compensate them, as the sheep were their source of livelihood.

West Pokot sub-county livestock officer Dr Charles Kibet confirmed that the wild animals attacked the livestock at night, saying the attack by the wild animals may have been precipitated by the impending drought experienced in the area.

He added that they have contacted KWS to launch investigations into the matter.

Tags:

West Pokot Wild animals attack sheep in West Pokot County

Want to send us a story? Submit on Wananchi Reporting on the Citizen Digital App or Send an email to wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke or Send an SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp on 0743570000

Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet.

latest stories