Kasipul residents live in fear as hyenas maul animals in villages

For the last six months, hyenas have been on the prowl in eight villages in Kasipul division, killing domestic animals at night.

In the last one week, five cows have have been mauled by the beasts in the dead of the night.

Villagers are now living in fear and some have been forced to relocate their livestock and other domestic animals to homes of relatives living in far areas.

A number of families have lost goats and sheep. And even dogs are not spared. The affected villages include Kosele, Kachien, Waradho, Nyalenda, Sikri, Apondo, Karabok and Nyarindi.

In Kachien village, Parasis Aloo’s milk cow that had calved a week ago was killed and partly eaten by hyenas.

But despite the outcry, the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) has not acted, with officials saying they have no control over hyenas that live in Homa hills and Wire forests.

In Waradho, which is situated near Wire forest, a number of goats have been killed by hyenas in day light.

“I lost five goats in a month late last year, making me poor. That was the only source of wealth I had, but no one from the Government has compensated me,” said Samwel Migiro.

He added that the laid down procedures of compensation were too complex.

In Kosele village, people are moving their animals to relatives in far places to avoid losses. Rael Achieng and her neighbour Ben Isaya lost their goats that had been tethered near their houses.

In the neighbouring Nyarindi village, Isaya Ogal’s bull was mauled on Monday dawn. Two other cows suffered serious wounds.

Biggest Casualty

Mzee Johana Ochieng is one of the biggest causalities as his seven sheep were killed.

“We hear the carnivorous cackling and laughing of hyenas as early as 8pm. They will start attacking human beings if they finish our animals. But any time we hear them, we know damage has been done,” Said Silviah Akoth, a resident at Nyarindi village.

North Kamagak Chief Benson Midigo, however, says his animals are safe because of the many dogs he keeps.

“Whenever I hear my dogs bark continuously for hours, I know the enemy is around,” said the administrator, as he asked villagers to invest in dogs, even as residents say dogs have not been spared during attacks.

East Kamagak MCA Sam Okumu and his Central Kasipul counterpart Zachary Olang’, whose areas are the most affected, have promised to take up the matter with KWS in Homa Bay on behalf of the affected families.

Homa Bay KWS Deputy Warden in charge Adeline Naliaka says they only compensate farmers when hyenas have broken into enclosed structures.

“All the cases have so far been reported but fall below the test of compensation,” said Ms Naliaka.

Kasipul MP Oyugi Magwanga said he would seek audience with KWS to find a solution to the problem.

Residents are now under self-imposed curfew from 8pm as they worry of being the next targets.