Hyena Attacks Threaten Livelihoods of Farmers in Mbita, Kenya

Mbita Sub- County – Farmers in Lambwe East location of Mbita Sub- County are facing a severe challenge due to a recent series of hyena attacks on their livestock. The farmers, reliant on livestock for their livelihood, have expressed deep concern over the increasing incidents, which have resulted in significant losses.

According to Kenya News Agency, the Lambwe East Location Chief, the community has witnessed the loss of 10 donkeys to hyena attacks recently. “This week alone, two donkeys were killed by hyenas,” Onditi stated, highlighting the frequency and severity of these incidents. Livestock rearing is the main economic activity for most residents in the area, making the hyena attacks a significant threat to their financial stability.

George Okumu, a local farmer, reported the substantial impact of these attacks on their primary source of income. Livestock farming being crucial to their economic survival, the farmers are urgently calling on the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to address this growing threat. The hyenas, believed to be residing in caves and bushes on Ruri and Kibanga hills in the area, have been attacking various types of livestock, including donkeys, which are typically challenging for hyenas to prey on.

Onditi added that besides donkeys, a considerable number of goats have also fallen victim to the hyenas. The predators have been known to kill goats and carry the carcasses back to the hills, causing distress among the farming community. Several farmers have reported such incidents, raising concerns about the safety of their livestock.

Jane Akinyi, another farmer in the area, voiced her worries about the potential escalation of these attacks, fearing that humans could be the next targets. “We are now living in fear that these wild animals might start attacking people,” Akinyi said.

In response to these grave concerns, Chief Onditi has called upon the Kenya Wildlife Service to take immediate action. Urging the KWS to treat the situation as an emergency, he emphasized the need for prompt intervention to trap the hyenas, which are now seen as a direct threat to the economic well-being and safety of the residents in Lambwe East.