Two people were over the weekend trampled to death by buffaloes in Lamu county.
The incidents happened in Mikinduni and Widho villages in Lamu west.
Danson Murimi, 69, of Mikinduini was attacked and killed by a herd of buffaloes as he headed to a neighbour’s home on Saturday while 66-year-old Kisakeni Maulidi of Widho area was trampled to death by the animals as he strolled on his farm.
The deaths come amidst cries over increased human-wildlife conflicts in some parts of Lamu occasioned by the ongoing drought.
Kenya Wildlife Service in Lamu announced five hotspots for human-wildlife conflict in the region.
The five are Witu, Mikinduni,Widho, Mkunumbi, Majembeni and some parts of Hindi division especially those bordering Boni Forest.
Speaking in Lamu on Monday, Lamu KWS commander Mathias Mwavita confirmed that the two buffalo deaths had all happened in a week and termed the situation concerning.
He said the incidents could still go up as thousands of wildlife are being pushed out of the comfort of their habitats by human activity and an influx of livestock from neighbouring counties.
He advised people to keep away from forests and bushes to lower chances of being attacked.
“We have thousands of wildlife and more so buffaloes that have migrated from Tana River and Garissa to Lamu in search of water and pasture. Problem is, the situation means they are now competing for similar resources with people hence the conflict," Mwavita said.
The KWS boss however assured there are plans to establish water pans in the five hotspots to ease dependence of the same on water sources used by humans.
There have been reports of wildlife wandering into homes and residential areas in search of food and water and thereby endangering lives.
Farmers in the affected areas have reported huge losses as wild animals devoured farm crops.
The KWS has on numerous occasions been accused of laxity in containing wildlife in the region.
Residents have asked the government to consider compensating families whose kin were killed by wildlife and those injured by the animals.
The situation has instilled fear among residents in affected areas with reports that children in some areas are missing school as parents keep them home for fear that will be attacked on their to and from school.
-Edited by SKanyara
