A monkey business in Ugenya as the primates take control of farms

Collins Onyango and Argwings Odero complained that the primates were causing widespread destruction of crops thereby threatening both their livelihoods and safety. 

They described the situation as dire, explaining that the monkeys are not only raiding farms but are also infiltrating homes in search of food.

Other villagers, particularly from Ukwala ‘A’, have expressed their growing frustration, saying they now spend nearly all their time guarding crops. They decried being enslaved by the primates as farm work has become a round-the-clock battle for them to deter the invaders.

Farmers such as Amina Adhiambo and Maurine Atieno reported heavy losses, revealing that many households have been forced to harvest crops prematurely, particularly maize while still green, to salvage whatever they can before the monkeys’ strike.

Atieno told Ramogi FM that beyond farms, the primates are also ransacking kitchens and homes. She added that their children are no longer safe walking to school and that they now have to escort them daily because the monkeys are everywhere.

The residents linked the growing monkey population to the national tree planting campaign launched over a decade ago.

While initially supportive of the initiative, they now say the resulting forest cover has inadvertently provided a haven for the animals.

Desperate for a solution, the community is now appealing to the government for urgent intervention. They’re calling on the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)  to find a way to either control or eliminate the monkey population and restore peace to their lives.