Losses as rare antelopes invade maize farms

By Michael Chepkwony

Farmers living around Kingwal swamp in Nandi are counting losses after Sitatunga antelopes invaded their maize farms.

About 200 rare antelopes invaded the farms and fed on the crop.

Farmers’ spokesman David Tum complained tens of acres of their maize farms had been invaded and crops eaten by antelopes.

“Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is doing nothing to stop it even after they were informed,” he complained.

But Toret Moi Conservationist group official Elphas Kimego said residents had started killing the animals.

Kimego, who was speaking in Kapsabet, said the antelopes had taken refuge near homes of residents who kill them for meat.

“We have received reports that antelopes have been killed and slaughtered by residents,” he said.

Contacted for comment, KWS Nandi County warden John Kanda confirmed that he had received complaints from the farmers.

He explained that KWS would fence part of Kingwal swamp that is not flooded and drive the antelopes there to restrict their movement.

Kanda said the animals that usually feed on the buds of reeds had been forced by floods to seek an alternative, the maze buds.

“We cannot control floods but we shall ensure that the antelopes are driven away from the farms before the end of this week,” he told The Standard on telephone.

Kanda, however, denied claims that the antelopes were being killed, saying they were “misleading and unnecessarily alarming”.

He said there was no proof that residents had undertaken such criminal activity.

“The residents are taking good care of the animals and they usually inform us of anything that happens,” he said.