Vervet monkeys invade Embu farms, eat crops

Embu farmers in Manyatta subcounty are on the verge of hunger after troops of vervet monkeys from Njukiri forest invaded their farms and ate their crops.

Farmers in Kamiu say the monkeys come in large numbers and from different directions and feast on their crops. There are so many that it's impossible to stop them, they say.

Robert Kariuki said they have been sacrificing their days protecting their crops, chores and other duties.

"We have been forced to spend 12 hours protecting the remaining crops. One can't attend the church or do other work at home because you have to be here since morning," he told the Star.

Kariuki, who mainly grows maize, beans and macadamia, said the monkeys struck a few days after planting. They dig out the seeds and eat them.

"Vervet monkeys destroy the crops at every stage and so you have to protect your farm once you plant your seeds to harvest time. I've been dealt a big blow as my macadamia trees have yielded almost nothing and I used to harvest more than 100 kilograms."

The monkeys eat them before the nuts are mature.

James Mwaniki said the monkeys have caused him immense losses, eating maize before it's mature, despite his hard work.

He said that the vervet monkeys have been multiplying each month for the last two years.

"They started as a small group but now they are coming from every direction. We can't go anywhere, otherwise, everything will be destroyed," Mwaniki said.

The farmers urged the county government and Kenya Wildlife Service to drive the monkeys back to forest or families will starve.

"There is severe conflict and thus I plead with the KWS and the county government to intervene and help us do away with this monkeys," he said.

Mwaniki said the farmers have reported to KWS and rangers came and scared the monkeys away. But they came back to eat.

The monkey problem is the same in Kirimiri village in Runyenjes as  farmers are counting losses after vervet monkeys  visit them from Kirimiri forest.

Macadamia farmer James Njiru said he has been trying to fight the vervet monkeys to no avail and he's almost giving up.

"They are coming in big numbers and in most cases you don't see them coming since you have to do other things."

(Edited by V. Graham)