The persistent drought being experienced in Garissa County has now led to residents of Hagarbuur in Dadaab Sub-county, Garissa to live in constant fear after marauding lions were spotted in the area.
The current drought affecting many counties in the country has forced the lions out of the natural habitat kilometres away and are now roaming in villages in search of food and water.
The residents, led by Dertu Member of the County Assembly (MCA) Abdi Ali, said they are now living in fear after the lions killed several livestock in the villages.
The residents who were speaking to the press said the lions have killed at least five cows and a camel.
Ali called on the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) to intervene in the matter and drive away the lions before they prey on human beings saying the lions pose a great danger to the community.
According to Ali, the area residents have now been forced to leave their homes and relocate to nearby village for fear of being attacked by the lions.
“The area is now deserted. It has been a week now since they started killing our livestock but we haven’t heard anything from the relevant authorities. Are they waiting for lives to be lost before they intervene? They need to act now before it is too late,” said Ali.
Due to prolonged drought being experienced in parts of the arid and semi-arid counties in the country, cases of human-wildlife conflict especially in villages neighboring the parks have reported a rise in such cases as wild animals look for food and water.