Samburu central residents whose crops and livestock have been destroyed by wild animals are calling upon the national government through Kenya Wildlife Service to speed up the compensation process.
The residents are lamenting that the government is taking too long to restore their only source of livelihood. ''They were my family’s only source of income, my children cannot go to school because I cannot afford their school fees after a group of hyenas killed our herd of 63 Sheep leaving only two alive at night,'' Lamented Mary Lekaato.
She asked the national government to come her family’s rescue as earlier promised by Samburu county’s KWS’ Warden, Richard Lemarkat. Where he promised that KWS would set traps to reduce an increasing number of hyenas in the region as the government begins the process of compensating all residents who had lost their property to wildlife activities.
According Ms Lekaato, KWS is yet to fulfill its promises as an increasing number of hyenas is still a threat in the area. ''Hyenas are still preying on animals at night. We usually hear them roaming around our compound at night when we are sleeping,''she said. However, a group of well wishers led by the Samburu County Executive Committee member for Tourism and Trade, Peter Leshakwet has donated more than 20 sheep to the two most affected families.
Leshakwet said that the donation was set to act as a short term reliever for the two families as they wait for more than Sh 800,000 compensation for their lost livestock from the national government. He said the well wishers contributed some money which was used to buy the sheep.
Speaking during the handing over of the animals to the two families Leshakwet asked the KWS to control the number of wild animals living near households adding that the government should devolve the compensation process.
90% of the county's total population is nomadic pastorals who are trying their hand in small scale arable farming after predators such as Lions and Hyenas became a threat to their livestock.
They have lamented that their attempt to try out crop farming as an alternative source of livelihood is also hindered by Zebras and Elephants.
Lodokejek ward member of county assembly, Julius Leshoomo said human wildlife conflict had continued for a long time fearing that if it's not solved it would lead to human or wildlife deaths. He called upon KWS to negotiate with the national government on the peoples behalf for quick compensation.