The Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) has moved to end for good the human-wildlife crisis characterised by hyena raids that have troubled the residents of Juja, Kiambu county.
A 5-year-old boy was recently mauled to death by a hyena, with locals reporting sightings which have made them live in fear.
The agency convened a meeting on Saturday, September 14, with locals to find a lasting solution to the menace.
Village elders from Makongeni were involved in the deliberations.
Among the resolutions was that the locals immediately contact the KWS when they sight a hyena; the officers would then promptly act to avert imminent human deaths.
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"During the discussions, both parties agreed to collaborate closely by promptly notifying KWS of any hyena sightings and providing essential information on hyena dens to ensure swift and effective intervention," said KWS.
KWS also promised to undertake a community sensitization program to equip the locals with knowledge of handling such situations.
The move came days after Governor Kimani Wamatangi issued a warning to the agency over supposed laxity on the matter.
Speaking on Tuesday, September 10, Wamatangi said the Kiambu locals will take matters into their own hands to deal with the hyenas if KWS fails to address the challenge.
"We have given KWS our final warning. We don’t want to discuss these matters anymore, we are saying they should come and take action immediately, and not just talk.
“Otherwise, we are ready, and as the Governor, I have said that I will be at the forefront, along with my people here in Kiambu, as we resist. If we don't have the security to ensure that people aren’t being killed by these hyenas, then we will organize ourselves and say we must protect the lives of our children,” said Wamatangi.
The Kiambu County boss also called on Tourism and Wildlife CS Rebecca Miano to ensure KWS and the Wildlife State Department deal with the hyena crisis.
