This archive report was first published on 3 May 2021.
May 3, 2021, marked the beginning of a new era of frustration for residents of Bunyala Central ward in Kenya. A stray hippo has been wreaking havoc on their farms, destroying crops and killing livestock, leaving the community at their wit's end.
According to Jentrix Mahaga, a resident and leader of the community, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has failed to address their grievances, despite numerous complaints.
‘As farmers, we have complained but nobody is taking action,’ Mahaga said, adding that the animal should be killed to prevent further losses.
The community has been suffering great losses, with Margaret Auma, another victim, lamenting that the stray animal has destroyed her crops for three consecutive seasons.
Christopher Masiga, the Mundere/Sisenye village Administrator, has urged the KWS officers from both Kakamega County and Samia Sub County to intervene, warning that if immediate action is not taken, the situation may lead to loss of human lives.
‘In Sisenye village, two cows have died while three others have been killed in Mundere,’ Masiga said, highlighting the severity of the situation.
However, Bunyala Deputy County Commissioner Grace Ouma has reported that the KWS officers shot at the animal thrice late last night, but it escaped with the bullets back to the water.
‘The officers visited the area this morning up to around 11.00 am but they did not see the animal,’ Ouma said, urging the locals to be cautious.
It remains to be seen whether the KWS officers will be able to contain the situation, but for now, the residents of Bunyala Central ward are left to wonder when their pleas will be heard.
