Human rights lobby, HURIA is demanding urgent actions to safeguard locals from increased wildlife attacks in Kwale County.
Activists from the Human Rights Agenda (HURIA) have expressed concerns over the recent reported incidents of wild animals loitering around residential areas within Kwale, without any measures to return them to the nearby, Shimba hills game reserve.
Speaking after visiting the family of a boda boda rider Nyundo Kalimbo Kidziwe who was on New year’s day mauled to death by a lion near Marere forest along the Kwale-Kinango road, HURIA Public Complaint Response Officer Mwinyihajj Chamosi stated that KWS has handled the matter haphazardly.
Kidziwe, a father of an eight year old girl from Vitsangalini B area, Dzombo Ward, Lungalunga Sub County was plying the Kwale-Kinango road before a wandering lion feasted on him, leaving only a small part of the chest, his hands and the head.
Panic
Chamosi noted that there has been a surge of such related human wildlife conflict, sending locals into panic.
“At the moment, big baboons and monkeys are loitering Kwale town, destroying food crops and threatening the lives of locals more specifically young children who are still at home during the holiday season,” noted Mr. Chamosi.
He further raised fears that it might be impossible for pupils to go to school when schools reopen due to fears of being attacked by wild animals.
The human rights defender who was accompanied by the Kwale Bodaboda Association of Kenya members, raised concerns over the manner in which the human-wildlife conflict is being handled in the county.
“None of the local leaders, KWS officials or national government officers have set a foot at the deceased home just to meet and soothe the family, this is a clear indication of a careless manner, we need urgent actions on this and nothing less,” reiterated Mr Chamosi.
Chamosi noted that the rights group will not relent until justice to the family of the late Kidziwe get justice.
His sentiments were echoed by the Kwale Boda Boda Association of Kenya members, who appealed to the Kenya Wildlife Service to ensure wild animals remain in the reserve.
The late Kidziwe was laid to rest two days ago at his Lungalunga home, Kwale County.
