Residents’ nightmare as rare visitors come calling, wreak havoc

Nakuru, Kenya: Lake Nakuru National Park is a sight to behold. The park has recently been enlarged partly to provide sanctuary for the black rhino, one of the largest concentrations in the country. This undertaking has necessitated a fence - to keep out poachers rather than to restrict the movement of wildlife.

The park is home to lions, cheetahs, leopards, monkeys and baboons among others, the latter being seen much more frequently in recent times. The park also has large sized pythons that inhabit the dense woodlands, and can often be seen crossing the roads or dangling from trees.

These animals have reportedly invaded residential premises and terrorised residents, who claim it is almost impossible to indulge in economic ventures because of the dangers these animals pose. Human movement is limited and residents now walk cautiously because of fear of attack by these animals that have become a part of the community. Stray animals have also been blamed for residents’ deaths.

Rose Wangoi, a resident of Naka estate says children are locked indoors as a precautionary measure majority of families observe to avert attacks. She says the baboons had once raided her chicken farm, her only source of livelihood, which she had to quit after losing more than 20 chicken and several trays of eggs last year.

Traumatising ordeals

Residents have now invented precautions to keep off these ‘intruders’. Samuel Njenga for instance, has planted cactus around his house to keep away the animals. Residents who have been attacked by the baboons recall the traumatising ordeals they endured.

Francis Kariuki narrates how baboons entered his house and attacked him, leaving him with a scare on his hand and a hearing ailment he suffers to date.

Kariuki was to seek compensation against Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) having spent more than Sh7,000 on treatment but he alleges to have been discouraged by a junior officer at KWS who told him the process is ‘long and difficult to challenge’.

Paul King’ori, another victim still nurses wounds on his stomach after baboons attacked him as he chased them away from destroying their family’s vegetable farm. King’ori spent Sh10,000 for treatment at a hospital in Nakuru.

In April, Peter Muregi 34, was trampled twice by a stray buffalo on his chest and died on arrival at the Nakuru Provincial General Hospital. The buffalo crossed the park fence to a nearby Nakuru Water Services Company where they attacked Muregi despite residents’ efforts to rescue him. Muregi’s family now hopes KWS would consider them for compensation.

In addition to invading residential apartments, the animals have also been spotted in schools. Students, teachers and pupils are in fear that the animals may interrupt and interfere with their learning schedule.

 

Last year in June, three lions alleged to be from the Park were seen roaming in Kimathi Primary School. The school Head teacher, Jackson Anangwe said it was not the first time the animals had been spotted within the compound.

The new Wildlife Conservation and Management law signed by President Uhuru Kenyatta in January has increased compensation for deaths and injuries caused by wildlife to Sh5 million and Sh2 million respectively.

In the previous law, KWS awarded Sh500, 000 for the deaths while no cash was reserved for any injuries.

The new law tasks compensation of victims to the County Wildlife Conservation and Compensation Committee, which will work under the Wildlife Environment, Water and Natural Resources ministry headed by Cabinet Secretary Judy Wakhungu. The committee will forward claims for compensation involving life or property (including crops and domestic animals) and its recommendations to the Cabinet Secretary.

The law stipulates that compensation for crops, livestock or property be at market rates.

The Act also establishes a Wildlife Research and Training Institute that would build capacity in the sector through training, collection and storage of a wildlife database.

New enacted law

The Lake Nakuru National Park deputy warden John Orhale concedes the existence of human-animal conflicts reported in Nakuru.

However, he says KWS will compensate victims of death and those whose properties were destroyed under the new enacted law.

Orhale says they are only waiting for the CS to appoint conservation and compensation committee to oversee cases that have been launched.

“Names of those seeking compensation have been submitted to the ministry waiting approval of genuine beneficiaries to be compensated; among them are three cases of death in Nakuru and Kuresoi and property loss,” he explained.

Orhale on the other hand urged residents living along the park to cooperate with KWS officials in curbing human-wildlife conflicts saying traps to help in tracking down stray animals have been laid in Kiamurogi and Naka estates.

He at the same time called upon the residents to avoid vandalising the fence and to dispose of garbage properly to avoid attracting monkeys and baboons. “I want to urge residents to dispose of waste properly and to always lock their doors and windows to avoid baboons, monkeys and snakes getting easy access into homes,” he says.