Locals scramble for free meat

By Renson Mnyamwezi

TAITA, KENYA: Residents of Bura and Maktau locations scrambled for free game meat after Kenya Wildlife Service personnel shot dead 17 buffaloes that had strayed into the settlement.

Three people were attacked and seriously injured by the marauding animals that broke out of Sarova Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary.

More than 300 jumbos left the park in search of water and pasture and created havoc in the area.

“The troublesome jumbos have imposed a virtual dawn-to-dusk curfew on residents. They have destroyed hundreds of acres of food crops and disrupted learning in local schools,” said Maktau ward civic leader Flumence Mshila.

Speaking to The Standard from Bura Shopping Centre, councillor Mshila said 15 of the jumbos were killed by residents after KWS failed to quickly respond to persistent pleas by the locals to drive the animals back to the park.

Two of the animals were shot dead by KWS personnel, added the civic leader. Hungry residents interviewed said they had a good day as they shared the delicacy.

“I have not eaten meat for quite some time. I was lucky to get 10 Kilos of it,” said a local.

Tsavo Conservation Area senior warden Michael Wanjau confirmed that KWS killed buffaloes that have invaded villages in the area.

“We’ve killed those that had resisted attempts to be driven back to the park to ease the conflict. We’ve also launched ground and air operations to drive back to the park rogue elephants and buffalos,” he said.

He, however, said the implementation of the Bura-Alia electric fence project, which had been opposed by residents and leaders, could be the only solution to the wildlife menace. The incident comes at a time when the Government is still grappling with persistent human wildlife conflict in the region.

Last week, two people were attacked and killed by marauding buffaloes and elephants.