[Farmers at a farm. Photo/Standard]
Farmers in Garissa are counting losses after marauding hippos from River Tana broke into their farms and destroyed crops.
Hippos invaded farms in Jariroth and Sankuri along River Tana on Wednesday evening and destroyed crops such as bananas, tomatoes, pawpaws and mangoes.The hippos also killed a farmer who tried to drive keep them off.The farmers now want KWS to take action or else they kill the hippopotamuses.
According to the farmers, the lost crops worth Sh1 million following the invasion on their farms.
"Fruits that were ready to be taken to the market this weekend have been destroyed. Farmers have lost a lot including human lives", said a farmer Mohamed Abdi.
Abdi accused KWS in Garissa for ignoring their plea to help them keep off the animals from destroying their crops. Federation of Farmers chairman Dubat Amey said it is unfortunate to see farmers' efforts go to waste.
He urged KWS officials to intervene and help the farmers.
"KWS is supposed to come to the rescue of farmers and not sleeping on the job. Farmers might be forced to take the law intothier hands", Amey said.