Residents of Kanyachiri Village in Kochia Central Location, Rangwe Sub County are living in fear after a stray leopard attacked and killed 11 sheep on Sunday.
The leopard killed the sheep belonging to a villager identified as Bishop William Abuka in broad day light when the sheep were tethered next to his homestead.
The area Assistant Chief Ernest Olik said that the stray leopard killed the sheep as the helpless owner watched in disbelief.
Mr. Olik said that several families have recently lost goats and sheep to the leopard but they did not report to the Kenya Wildlife Service since they thought it was a dog killing their animals.
He revealed that in a span of two weeks about 16 sheep have been attacked and killed by the wild animal in three homesteads. The administrator said that they are suspecting that the leopard was inhabiting in nearby bushes.
Olik expressed fears that the stray animal also posed a grave danger to the residents especially school going children
Abuka who lost his 11 sheep in the attack lamented that he had lost his main source of livelihood and appealed to Kenya Wildlife Service to compensate him.
“We want the Kenya Wildlife Service to intervene and ensure the animal is trapped and taken to the park,” he added.
Contacted, Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) Officer in Charge of Homa Bay County Grace Wendot said that they have received information on the stray animal and that her officers have moved to the ground to lay a trap that would capture the animal.
She called on all the farmers whose animals were attacked to report to the authorities and follow up for compensation. She cautioned villagers against killing the big cat.
By Davis Langat