Residents of Karinga village in Gatundu South, Kiambu County are counting losses after their sheep were attacked and killed by an unknown wild animal.
The dangerous, wild animal on the loose is reported to be attacking domestic animals between 3.00 am and 5.00 am leaving a trail of destruction.
Lucia Murugi, an octogenarian, is the latest victim whose six sheep were clawed by the beastly animal that sucked their blood leaving them to die.
According to the frail woman, the sheep were her only source of income as she would rear them for sale to eke a life.
Distraught Murugi, who claimed to have lost hope in life after the incident, explained how she woke up to a rude shock after she found the animals lying dead.
She revealed that she was going to feed them on Wednesday, June 15 morning when she found out that the beast had sucked their blood while inside their shed.
“I found the sheep sucked and left to die. I am trying to think about what is next in futility. I have not eaten since yesterday because of the huge loss. I cannot cope with the killing of the sheep which were my only source of livelihood," Murugi said.
More sheep mauled
Monica Wanjira Ngumba, another victim whose two sheep were recently mauled in the same circumstance, decried that the animal has lined up attacks that are on the verge of destroying livestock farming in the area.
“My two sheep were attacked like Murugi’s and I was left to bear the loss without a word from the government. We are fearing that should these attacks continue, you will soon come to this village and find zero livestock,” decried Wanjira.
According to Paul Gatiba, a village leader, over 10 sheep have been mauled by the mysterious animal that is said to have started the attacks last month.
Residents stated that the spate of attacks by the mysterious animal has also become a source of fear among them as they can no longer walk at night.
Bearing the brunt are school-going children who are required to leave their homes at dawn to trek to school, a situation that is forcing parents to accompany them.
“We have made reports to the relevant government agencies over this matter but no action has been taken so far.
"We want Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) to compensate all the affected farmers to enable them to continue with their lives otherwise if they don’t take action, we will gang up against this animal and kill it forthwith,” Gatiba said.
By the time of going to press, KWS officers had toured the village but they declined to comment on the matters arguing that they have to do thorough investigations first before addressing journalists.
