Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has warned of increased hyena attacks in the country.
Speaking in Kilifi on Wednesday, when he officiated the National Youth Service recruitment at Karisa Maitha grounds, Mutua said the country is witnessing an influx of hyenas due to the recent drought that hit the country.
"During the dry season, we lost many wildlife. The hyenas feasted and reproduced in large numbers and that is why we see some of them roaming into homesteads to attack people and livestock," he said
He advised people living near national parks to avoid walking in bushes, especially at night, to avoid attacks.
He said several people have been mauled by hyenas recently, with some cases only small body parts being found
"We have also lost some livestock to hyenas and we need to take measures to make sure we minimise these attacks," he added
The CS said the government needs about Sh7 billion to compensate victims of human-wildlife conflict.
"Already, we have released over Sh700 million. We have a budget of Sh950 million to pay those who were killed by wildlife," he added
Mutua further said the government has plans to fence off national parks to reduce conflicts between people and wildlife.
"We have floated a tender worth Sh300 million to fence some parks and in one month or so, we are going to release a budget to fence parks bordering Kilifi and Kwale counties so that wildlife can remain in the parks," he said
The ministry is also planning to recruit over 1,500 rangers to boost the number of KWS officers.
