Over one hundred farmers from Longonot location in Naivasha are starring starvation in the face after stray buffaloes allegedly invaded their farms and destroyed their crops.
The farmers said they were counting loses after an unknown number of buffaloes invaded their farms and literally cleared their crops.
The farmers who talked to the press at Longonot lamented that despite their efforts to seek help from Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) over the animals nothing has been forthcoming.
According to Monica Wangui,a farmer, she could not replant after their crops were destroyed or even alternatively utilize their lands efficiently.
She said that they are now demanding the government to intervene and permanently address their plight.
Wangui said that they have been subjected to the same scenario each year where the same wildlife destroys their crops reducing them to beggars.
At the same time she lamented that residents can no longer go about their activities freely for fear of encountering the stray buffaloes.
She alleged that several trips to KWS have resulted in promises of compensation that are yet to be fulfilled.
When contacted, the senior warden in charge of Hellsgate and Longonot Parks, Muteru Njauini admitted that cases of wild animals straying from the park were on the rise.
He said that they were making efforts clear the animals from the area attributing to the harsh weather condition admitting that tens of wild animals were no longer in the park.
Muteru noted that some of the wild animals had fled Hellsgate for Mt Longonot national park which was less affected.
The senior officer said that the issue had been complicated by the closure of various wildlife corridors around Lake Naivasha.Over one hundred farmers from Longonot location in Naivasha are starring starvation in the face after stray buffaloes allegedly invaded their farms and destroyed their crops.
The farmers said they were counting loses after an unknown number of buffaloes invaded their farms and literally cleared their crops.
The farmers who talked to the press at Longonot lamented that despite their efforts to seek help from Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) over the animals nothing has been forthcoming.
According to Monica Wangui,a farmer, she could not replant after their crops were destroyed or even alternatively utilize their lands efficiently.
She said that they are now demanding the government to intervene and permanently address their plight.
Wangui said that they have been subjected to the same scenario each year where the same wildlife destroys their crops reducing them to beggars.
At the same time she lamented that residents can no longer go about their activities freely for fear of encountering the stray buffaloes.
She alleged that several trips to KWS have resulted in promises of compensation that are yet to be fulfilled.
When contacted, the senior warden in charge of Hellsgate and Longonot Parks, Muteru Njauini admitted that cases of wild animals straying from the park were on the rise.
He said that they were making efforts clear the animals from the area attributing to the harsh weather condition admitting that tens of wild animals were no longer in the park.
Muteru noted that some of the wild animals had fled Hellsgate for Mt Longonot national park which was less affected.
The senior officer said that the issue had been complicated by the closure of various wildlife corridors around Lake Naivasha.