KWS kills four wild monkeys amid rampant attacks on Kitale residents
Langur monkey at Nairobi National Park on March 3, 2024, during World Wildlife Day, celebrated to draw attention to wild plant and animal species on the planet and raise awareness of wildlife conservation efforts.
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) working with Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has rolled out a multiagency operation to tame wild monkeys that have been attacking residents of Lessos in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County.
KWS officers have shot dead at least four monkeys as more than 15 residents nurse serious injuries, some with deep wounds sustained in the attacks.
Several people are nursing serious injuries, some with deep wounds, following attacks from the wild monkeys from the adjacent Bidii forest which have been terrorising residents, attacking and biting them.
Women and children are the most affected, as several victims continue nursing injuries from the wild monkeys in the past few weeks.
The wildlife agency suspects the wild primates might be infected with rabies, hence the decision to eliminate them, although investigations to determine their wild behavior are ongoing.
Already several children have been victims of the attacks.
One of the victims, Elizabeth Ngotho 38, narrated how a monkey attacked her last Wednesday while she was coming from the toilet. It attacked her from behind.
“I screamed after I turned and realised a monkey had attacked me. I had initially thought it was a dog. My sister came to my rescue but the monkey did not go far and just stood by and looked at us. I was so frightened and am currently under medication,” she said.
Elizabeth sustained two deep cuts on her thighs from the attack and was administered anti-rabies at Wamalwa Kijana Referral Hospital (WKRH). She is recuperating at home.
Living in fear
James Mseti, a bodaboda operator in the area said that the wild primates have been a danger to residents and most are forced to stay indoors for fear of attacks.
“Many people have been attacked by these animals and we suspect these are not normal monkeys. We want the government to take action because all of us are living in fear and they could infect people with a very bad disease,” he said.
At a security baraza in Lessos, residents demanded that the government should compensate those attacked and injured by the wild animals.
Traumatised residents and victims said that attacks are unusual, since monkeys have been seen there before but were not attacking them. They said the wild dangerous monkeys on the loose must be tamed to allow them live in peace.
Following the complaints, KWS Kitale station warden Patrick Ikaale told Nation.Africa that they have already eliminated four monkeys in the operation that targets to secure that area from the dangerous primates.
He said KWS is working to tame the wild animals that have become a nightmare to locals, even as investigations continue into the strange attacks by the primates.
“We are doing patrols and searches from 6am to evening every day and we have told residents to report if they spot the animals around. We suspect these monkeys might be infected because of the strange behavior and we hope to catch one of them to help our investigation,” Mr Ikaale told Nation.Africa on Wednesday.
