300 stray dogs killed after protests

At least 300 stray dogs have been killed after they mauled and feasted on the body of a cobbler in Action estate on the Eldoret-Iten road.

The death of Silas Chelong’o, 37, two weeks ago sparked outrage, leading youth to pursue and kill eight dogs near Eldoret airstrip on May 15.

This year alone, the dogs that move in a pack of about 20, have killed a woman and two men.

Uasin Gishu County Commissioner Abdirisack Jaldesa yesterday said 300 marauding dogs had been killed since the May 14 incident.

Mr Jaldesa said more stray dogs were being hunted down.

“We have managed to kill 300 of the stray dogs and we have asked chiefs and residents to give reports when other stray dogs are spotted,” the administrator said.

He warned dog owners against letting them stray, saying they would be eliminated. The canines have caused fear among residents in Block 10, Kiplombe, Hawaii and Action estates.

According to government reports, the stray dogs have also feasted on at least 25 sheep since January.

Hours after the dogs killed the cobbler, protesters blocked the busy Eldoret-Iten road for nearly three hours to protest what they termed inaction on the canines.

Samuel Yego, the county's Executive Committee Member for Agriculture and Livestock, said animal rights activists had stopped the use of Strychnine, a drug that has been used for years to euthanise dogs, leading to their increase in numbers.

He said they had approached KWS to help sedate the dogs for castration.