Governor Ole Lenku issues stern warning to Government

dennis kibet

September 16, 2017 10:45 AM

In a surprise move, Ole Lenku has warned that....

Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku has sent out a stern warning to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).

Lenku has asked KWS to allow pastoralists graze their animals in national parks or else the local communities will kill the wildlife.

The Governor accused KWS of always taking advantage of the Maasai community's hospitality in protecting their animals without any appreciation.

"What we are saying as Kajiado leaders is that KWS should allow pastoralists graze their livestock in their parks as corporate social responsibility to the community or else our people we tell our people to slaughter wild animals that trespass into their land and make meals out of them," Lenku stated.

Earlier this year, residents of Loitokitok in Kajiado threatened to kill all stray wildlife if the government does not compensate them for those killed by the animals.

They demanded that the government should either pay the families of those killed in the last five years or "pay the price".

Due to persistent drought, pastoralists in some instances have led their livestock into the national parks in search for pasture.

The same case happens to the wild animals where in some cases, venture out of the protected areas into community land in search of food.

KWS last year issued an alert on increased human-wildlife conflicts in the areas surrounding national parks and game reserves following the prolonged drought in the country.

The organisation warned of an increase in reported incidents of conflicts compared to past years with the notable ones being attacks on people, property destruction, livestock predation and crop raiding.

dennis kibet