Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officials in Murang’a County have launched an intensive manhunt in Kiairathe, Kangema Constituency, to flush out wild animals suspected to be wolves that have been terrorising residents.
At least five people have been bitten in recent attacks and are undergoing treatment, while one woman remains admitted at Mt Kenya Hospital, Kangema.
The residents have also killed five of the animals as panic grows over the rising human-wildlife conflict in the area.
Speaking in Kiarathe on Monday during the ongoing operation, area Member of Parliament Peter Kihungi called for calm and cooperation between the public and the KWS county officers.
“We send our deepest sympathies to those affected and wish them a quick recovery. The area is highly vegetated with tea bushes where the animals are hiding, so I call on everyone to remain vigilant,” Kihungi said. “These are very aggressive animals and we must work together. We will also push for compensation for the victims as provided for in law,” he added.
Kihungi noted that tea farming, the main source of income in the area, has been disrupted as workers fear going to the farms. “People cannot pick tea in peace, and that means livelihoods are threatened. We urge KWS to remain on call and assist quickly to prevent more attacks,” he added.
Murang’a County KWS Warden John Gathua said the dense vegetation has made tracking the animals difficult but assured that the operation will continue until the threat is contained. “Together with the residents, we have started going around the tea plantations to identify hiding spots.
“Where there are overgrown bushes, it is important to cut them so the animals cannot use them as cover. We will continue working with residents because they know the terrain and can help us locate these animals quickly,” Mr Gathua added.
A victim, Lucy Waithera, said she was picking tea when she was mauled. “It bit my leg below the knee. I struggled but it overpowered me. I screamed until people came and killed it,” she said. She is now recovering at home with the affected leg bandaged.
Another victim, 80-year-old Kimani Gachihi, was attacked while cutting fodder and is currently nursing a deep wound on his left leg. I was bleeding and calling for help. It kept biting me. If people didn’t hear me, I would have died,” he recounted.
“I am on medication but as you can see, I cannot do any work or walk long distances because the wound is too painful and my leg is still swollen,” he added.
John Ngunjiri, who sustained an injury on the knee and hands too, was attacked while cutting grass in his farm. He screamed for help and the animal was killed
Another victim, only identified as John Mwangi Kuria’s wife, remains hospitalised after being mauled last Thursday. According to neighbours, Kuria heard her wife screaming while she was picking tea, rushed with a panga and found the animal on her. He struck it and killed it.
She suffered injuries on her legs, neck, and hands and is said to be in stable condition.
Residents are now appealing for urgent and sustained intervention to restore safety, saying livelihoods and daily activities cannot continue under fear, as they are even scared as the animal is striking in broad daylight.
By Florence Kinyua
