Likuyani residents concerned as wild animals maul over 10 sheep

Residents of Mawe Tatu Sublocation in Likuyani are counting losses after a series of night invasions by suspected wild animals, which claimed dozens of sheep.

Mawe Tatu residents and its surroundings have asked the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to expedite the capture of the strange animals before they start killing people.

Area assistant chief Moses Shiundu, who urged residents to be cautious, said over ten sheep have been reportedly killed by the strange beast in the last two weeks.

“I am cautioning residents to be careful over a strange animal we suspect to be a leopard, which has been roaming around at night and targeting sheep. The affected areas are Lusako towards River Nzoia and Lugulu,” he said.

“We have already alerted the KWS officers who have been trying to capture the strange animals in the last couple of days without success.”

He told residents the animal is still in the vicinity, and a closer look at the footprints indicates it moves around with its young ones.

The chief called on residents to be on high alert at night and come out whenever they hear dogs barking to prevent further losses.

Residents said their lives were in danger and asked KWS and other relevant authorities to lay a trap for the animal believed to be a leopard.

Wilberforce Musungu, whose family lost six sheep last week, asked the government to take action and protect their lives.

He said the suspected wild animal killed the sheep by biting the neck and pulling out its intestines.

Kennedy Cheloti, a teacher at Lugulu Primary School said their learners who go to school early in the morning may become a target for the strange animals.

“Let KWS take action immediately before someone is killed. Let them not wait for lives to be lost for them to take action,” Cheloti said. 

Stephen Juma, a boda-boda operator rider from Lugulu, said they now fear operating at night and appealed to the government to take action urgently.