Human-wildlife conflict is rearing its ugly head in parts of Machakos County after residents’ reports of an increase in hyenas roaming the area. The hyenas are reportedly leaving their caves for residential areas in search of food, especially now that many areas have been hit by drought due to failed rains. Residents in the affected areas mostly in parts of Matungulu and Mavoko constituencies are calling on the KWS to intervene and capture the hyenas.
Two weeks ago a young boy was reportedly attacked by a hyena in the morning and is recuperating at a city hospital where he was admitted with serious injuries. He was first admitted to the hospital’s ICU department, but according to one of the family members who is not authorised to speak on the matter, the boy has been moved to the general ward and responding well to medication. The incident occurred at the Ikawa village, Muthwani location, Mavoko sub-county when the primary school child was attacked as he went to shop to buy bread for the family breakfast.
“The hyenas which used to come from the caves at night are now being seen roaming even in the morning and during the day. If KWS doesn’t come to remove them we will kill them,” lamented a resident Kamau wa Njuguna.
The resident threatened to get in touch with the Roots Party presidential candidate Prof George Wajackoyah to show them the market for hyena meat.
Wajackoyah who is advocating for rearing of snakes which he says will fetch a good dollar for their venom, on top of alleviating poverty levels of many is also calling for the killing of hyenas and selling of its meat.
“Hyenas have no any meaningful use to us. When I form the government we will kill all these hyenas and sell their meat to Chinese as they eat its meat. The proceeds will help us in repaying the debt that we owe the Chinese,” Wajackoyah said recently during the launch of his manifesto at the KICC. A retired police officer and now a cleric Shem Nzioki says that last week, a hyena jumped over his fence into his home and nearly made away with his calves.
“The cows are usually locked up in their sheds but I leave the calves free. I was shocked to find a hyena inside my compound at night. A quick alarm by my farm help with a torch prevented the hyena from going with any of my calves,”noted Nzioki.
Parents with school going children are now worried that their children could be attacked by the animals when schools reopen for second term which is slated for next week.
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