Rangers in patrol in one of the Kenya's national parks. Kenya Wildlife Service wardens Tuesday arrested 12 residents of Oldonye Sampu, Kajiado County over the killing of a lion in retaliation to an attack on livestock
Kenya Wildlife Service wardens Tuesday arrested 12 residents of Oldonye Sampu, Kajiado County over the killing of a lion in retaliation to an attack on three cattle.
Two people were wounded when a pride of lions attacked the livestock and are recuperating at the Athi River Shalom community hospital in the latest incident of human-wildlife conflict.
Another lion was killed last week in Meruesh in the same area after the cats killed a cow and 41 goats and sheep.
Human-wildlife conflict escalates in areas bordering parks especially during the rainy seasons when migration of herbivorous animals such as the wildebeest to other areas leaves the carnivores without adequate food.
According to Pastor Simon Parsaloi, a pride of more than six lions invaded a homestead and mauled three cows. The villagers pursued the lions and managed to kill one at the foot of Chillu hills.
On Tuesday, wardens from Tsavo West combed the area and arrested twelve morans (Maasai warriors) who were taken to Mtito Andei police station. KWS spokesperson Paul Mbugua said the morans were to be arraigned in a court at Makindu.
Mr Mbugua said residents should inform KWS of any attacks after which compensation would be pursued. However, residents said they were killing the lions because there had not been compensation forthcoming.
“Let KWS come and show us who they have compensated, no compensation is given to the locals,” said Moses Lemunanda.
The residents asked the government to fence off the wild animals from their manyattas. “We appeal to the government to take any necessary action to save the pastoral community,” said Joel Saruni
Just a fortnight ago, a man was admitted to a hospital after he was attacked by a hyena.
