This archive report was first published on 2 November 2021.
Published on November 2, 2021, a disturbing trend of human-wildlife conflict has emerged in Homa Bay County, threatening the livelihoods of local livestock farmers.
At Kasire village in Rachuonyo South Sub County, a recent incident saw two sheep killed by a pack of hyenas that broke into a sheep pen at Benson Kimuto's home. The attack occurred at midnight, with Kimuto waking up to the sound of unusual noise from the pen.
"The hyenas scared the sheep before most of them ran away from the pen when the attack escalated," Kimuto recalled.
Residents, armed with crude weapons, responded to the distress call and killed the hyena on the spot. However, the attack had already claimed the lives of two sheep.
According to Kamyowa Sub-location Assistant Chief Joseph Omoro, his office has received numerous complaints from farmers about the attacks on their livestock. Omoro urged residents to reinforce their fences to prevent future attacks, warning against killing wild animals.
"Wildlife is very important. It is wrong to kill a wild animal. Let us reinforce fences in our homes," Omoro advised.
