State House advisor Moses Kuria has blamed a 'new species' of hyenas after a hyena mauled a five-year-old boy in Juja, Kiambu County.
In a statement on Saturday, September 7, Kuria claimed that historically, hyenas and human beings have peacefully coexisted in the area.
"This incident represents a new and disturbing trend, as there has been no previous record of human-animal conflict in the area. Historically, hyenas and humans in this area coexisted peacefully.
"However, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has now identified a new, aggressive species of hyenas that pose a threat to humans," Kuria remarked.
The former CS noted that the hyenas were primarily found around abandoned quarries and uncontrolled dump sites in the area.
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Kuria urged the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to address the issue of abandoned quarries in Juja.
"I have requested the NEMA Director General to address this issue of abandoned quarries and illegal dump sites . It’s also crucial that the Kiambu County Government take decisive action to decommission abandoned quarries, as they are responsible for quarry licensing," he stated.
At the same time, the former CS, after visiting the family of the boy who was mauled by a hyena, promised compensation.
"I assured the grieving family that I will personally ensure they receive compensation within six months," Kuria remarked.
On Thursday, September 6, KWS asked the public to limit night movement, dispose of waste properly to avoid attracting hyenas, and refrain from tampering with traps set up for the animals.
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