Kisumu residents capture baboons, take them to KWS as invasion escalates

The residents say they are counting heavy losses after the animals destroyed crops that were ready for harvest and have also started attacking people.

However, KWS has warned residents against handling wildlife, saying the animals can be dangerous.

At 8am on Tuesday, Nikanor Bodo secured a cage onto his tricycle. Inside, two young baboons moved around as the ground nearby remained scattered with mangoes, evidence of the raid carried out at the homestead on Monday night.

“Mbegu yenye niliweka kwa nyumba ziliharibu. Nikiwaachia watoto kwa nyumba wanachukua wanaenda nayo, hata vitabu ya watoto wanabeba wanakimbia nayo. Sasa nani anahudumia mimi?” Said Nikanor.

Beyond the destruction of farms, some residents are nursing injuries, saying the baboons often attack early in the morning and move in groups, making their presence known before striking.

The Kenya Wildlife Service has cautioned residents against directly handling the animals.

“Mnyama ni hatari sana, anaweza muumiza na hawa wanyama wanakuwanga na magonjwa hatari sana. Hatungependa mwananchi aumizwe, na ni sisi tulienda tukaweka mtego,” said Grace Kariuki, Senior Warden, Kisumu.

KWS says it will deploy officers to the area in an effort to manage the escalating human-wildlife conflict.