Baboons terrorise farmers at Kabazi, Nakuru

A dog keep vigil near a poultry cage in Gatongu village in Kabazi where farmers use dogs to scare away baboons that invade their farm destroying crops and feeding on the chicken. PHOTO: BONIFACE THUKU/STANDARD

NAKURU: A visitor to Gatongu village in Kabazi, Nakuru County will immediately be struck by the many dogs roaming the village.

Upon inquiry, one learns that villagers have opted to keep these animals to ward off baboons that have become a menace to residents. Though blessed with fertile land and good rainfall the farmers here have nothing to show for their labour. The marauding baboons reduce their efforts to waste.

One resident, Rebecca Kamau, says she was forced to abandon farming, which was her main source of income, after the wild animals raided the area several years ago.

"I now have to guard my coffee cherries against these monkeys that feed on them before they ripen. I used to grow potatoes, avocadoes, maize, beans and peas on my two acre farm and harvest nothing," she said.

Rebecca, who now owns six mature dogs and two puppies, said she has also lost more than 500 chicken and countless number of eggs to the wild animals.

Eighty-year-old Mary Wanjiku recalls years ago when she used to enjoy a bumper harvest from her two acre farm, but has now been reduced to a pauper by the marauding baboons.

"I lost my poultry and goats to these animals which marked an end to my economic activity. I now have to depend on assistance from my children and well wishers," she said.

Nancy Njeri, has four dogs tied to her poultry house to keep vigil, says farmers now have to cater for agricultural costs as well as rearing of dogs.

"Where is the profit if I have to buy farm inputs and in addition purchase dogs as well as feed them?" asked the mother of seven.

However, according to the Kenya Wildlife Service, these increased cases of human-wildlife conflict are due to people encroaching on the wildlife's habitat. While Lake Nakuru National Park Deputy Warden John Orahle confirmed that there has been an influx in the number of baboons going into the farms, he said controlling them or keeping them away is not easy and advised farmers to keep using dogs to scare them away.

"These animals reside at a nearby hill that has been encroached," he said.