MOMBASA, Kenya – The Indian House Crow, once a familiar nuisance on Mombasa’s beaches, has become a fast-spreading ecological threat, infiltrating inland towns and threatening Kenya’s biodiversity, economy, and public health.
No longer confined to coastal dustbins and rooftops, the aggressive scavenger has expanded its range across urban and rural Kenya, prompting urgent calls for coordinated national action.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) on Friday convened a high-level consultative forum at Mombasa Beach Hotel to map out a national strategy to manage and ultimately eradicate the invasive species.
The meeting brought together stakeholders from national and county governments, conservation groups, academia, the tourism industry, and local communities.
“A national crisis”
“The Indian House Crow is no longer just an eyesore—it’s a serious ecological and socio-economic menace,” said KWS Director General Erastus Kanga. “This is now a national crisis that requires coordinated intervention at every level.”
Kanga warned that the crow’s unchecked spread could devastate native bird populations, destabilize ecosystems, and hurt sectors like tourism and agriculture.
He called on county governments to integrate crow control into urban planning and waste management systems, noting that poor waste disposal has accelerated the bird’s proliferation.
“Development partners must view this not just as an environmental issue but a One Health concern,” he added, referring to the intersection of environmental, human, and animal health.
A pest beyond nature
The Indian House Crow is infamous for preying on the eggs and chicks of native birds, with studies linking it to steep declines in local bird populations. But its impact doesn’t stop at nature.
Tourism operators have raised alarm over the birds’ increasing presence around hotels and restaurants along the coast.
Their loud caws, messy droppings, and habit of snatching food from tourists are damaging the hospitality industry’s image—and revenues.
“These crows are more than a nuisance—they’re putting livelihoods at risk,” said Pauline Nduva, chairperson of the Kenya Association of Women in Tourism. “Up to 60 per cent of women working in the tourism sector, especially at the Coast, are now at risk of losing their jobs if this problem persists.”
State support, community buy-in
Fredrick Muchiri, CEO of the Pest Control Products Board, pledged full support for the fight against the crow infestation.
“This is not a battle we can fight in isolation. The Pest Control Board is ready to provide technical assistance and oversight for ethical interventions,” he said.
KWS officials emphasized that any crow control methods must be humane, science-based, and sustainable.
Discussions at the forum focused on the need for a long-term strategy rooted in research and stakeholder input, including communities most affected by the crows.
Senior officials from coastal counties—including county commissioners from Tana River and Mombasa—attended the meeting, signalling strong government backing for the initiative.
A regional challenge, a national response
The proposed national strategy includes regional collaboration to prevent recolonization in areas where crows are eradicated, the establishment of a sustainable funding framework, and a public awareness campaign to secure community support.
Kanga said the new roadmap would be grounded in “science, ethics, and accountability” and will aim to strike a balance between animal welfare and environmental protection.
“The time for action is now,” he said. “The Indian House Crow has been left to multiply for too long. But with the unity and resolve we’ve seen here today, we are ready to push back.”
