Residents of Bunyala Central ward have threatened to take the law into their own hands after their plea to the Kenya Wildlife Service to tame a stray hippo hit a snag.
Led by Jentrix Mahaga the angry residents blamed the KWS for failing to address their grievances which have lasted for more than two years.
“As farmers, we have complained but nobody is taking action,” she said adding that the animal should be killed.
Mahaga stated that the community was suffering great loses and spending sleepless nights over laxity among the KWS officers.
Margaret Auma, another victim lamented that the stray animal has destroyed her crops for three consecutive seasons.
Mundere/Sisenye village Administrator Christopher Masiga urged the Kenya Wildlife Officers from both Kakamega County and Samia Sub County to intervene before the local residents swung into action.
‘As leaders we have engaged the local KWS office but received minimal assistance,’ he said adding that there is need for joint efforts in addressing the issue.
Masiga argued that if immediate action is not taken, the situation may lead to loss of human lives adding that five cows have already been killed by the stray animal.
‘In Sisenye village, two cows have died while three others have been killed in Mundere,’ he said.
Bunyala Deputy County Commissioner Grace Ouma said that the KWS officers shot at the animal thrice late last night and it escaped with the bullets back to the water.
‘The officers visited the area this morning up to around 11.00 am but they did not see the animal,’ she said urging the locals to be cautious.
Ouma added that the KWS officers are still monitoring the situation until tomorrow to confirm whether the wounded animal has died.
By Salome Alwanda
