KISUMU, Kenya — Residents of Akingli village in Kisumu County have resorted to trapping baboons and ferrying them to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) offices after a surge in farm raids and attacks on people by the primates, raising fresh concerns over escalating human–wildlife conflict.
Villagers say the baboons have caused heavy losses by destroying crops that were ready for harvest, ransacking homes, and attacking residents, particularly in the early morning hours.
On Tuesday morning, Nikanor Bodo was seen fastening a metal cage onto his tricycle, preparing to transport two young baboons he had trapped overnight. Scattered mangoes around his homestead bore evidence of the previous night’s raid.
“Mbegu yenye niliweka kwa nyumba ziliharibu. Nikiwaachia watoto kwa nyumba wanachukua wanaenda nayo. Hata vitabu ya watoto wanabeba wanakimbia nayo. Sasa nani anahudumia mimi?” Bodo lamented.
Residents say the baboons often move in groups, ambushing farms and homesteads before retreating into nearby thickets, making it difficult for villagers to defend themselves or their livelihoods. Some locals reported sustaining injuries while trying to chase away the animals.
Beyond food insecurity, parents expressed concern over children’s safety, saying the animals have become increasingly bold and aggressive.
The Kenya Wildlife Service has, however, warned residents against directly handling wildlife, cautioning that baboons are dangerous and can transmit diseases.
“Mnyama ni hatari sana, anaweza kuumiza, na hawa wanyama wanakuwanga na magonjwa hatari sana. Hatungependa mwananchi aumizwe,” said Grace Kariuki, a Senior Warden with KWS in Kisumu.
“Hatungependa wananchi waingilie wanyamapori. Ni sisi tulienda tukaweka mtego,” she added.
Kariuki said KWS officers would be deployed to Akingli village to assess the situation and put in place appropriate measures to manage the conflict.
Human–wildlife conflict has remained a persistent challenge across several counties bordering wildlife habitats, with communities frequently reporting destruction of crops, injuries, and, in some cases, loss of life. Under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, KWS is mandated to respond to such incidents and implement mitigation strategies, including animal relocation, fencing, and community sensitisation.
However, residents in Akingli say response times are often slow, forcing them to take matters into their own hands to protect their livelihoods.
Local leaders have called for long-term solutions, including sustained KWS presence, installation of deterrent measures, and compensation for losses incurred due to wildlife invasions.
KWS has repeatedly urged communities to report incidents promptly and avoid confrontations with wild animals, warning that unauthorised trapping or handling of wildlife is illegal and could expose residents to serious harm.
As investigations continue and response teams are deployed, villagers hope the intervention will restore safety and prevent further destruction during the peak harvest season.
