Conservationists in Naivasha have lashed out at KWS for allegedly failing to follow the law in the ongoing translocation of giraffes from the area.
The group that includes landowners from North Lake lashed out at the wildlife agency for conducting the exercise in secrecy despite years of rearing and protecting the animals.
In the last couple of days, KWS has embarked on the process of translocation of the animals to the Coast leading to a fall-out between them and the ranchers.
This comes amid concern over the number of wild animals invading private farms in Naivasha with North Lake, Mai Mahiu, Longonot and Hellsgate areas being the most affected.
According to one of the land owners, Jim Ngari, the exercise caught them by surprise adding that in the past KWS had involved them in such exercises.
He noted that for years, ranchers and conservationists had worked hand in hand with KWS in protecting wildlife in the area, wondering why the exclusion in the ongoing exercise.
“KWS officers arrived in this area and started trans-locating giraffes to unknown places and we are wondering why the secrecy and failure to involve the local community,” he said.
Speaking on the phone, KWS Assistant Director Joseph Dadacha downplayed the fallout adding that there was a communication breakdown.
He added that KWS had since contacted the land owners who had given their go-ahead in the exercise with the first batch of three giraffes taken to the Coast.
“There was a communication breakdown during the start of the exercise but this has since been addressed and the translocation exercise is going on smoothly,” he said.
This came as conservationists and motorists expressed their concern over an increase in the number of wild animals along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.
They noted that the fencing of several farms along the highway and game corridors had pushed the animals to the road, raising fears of accidents.
According to the chairman, Friends of Lake Naivasha Francis Muthui, the number of wild animals around the highway was on the increase.
He attributed this to the closure of wildlife corridors, fencing of ranches in the area and capital projects that had displaced the animals into the road in search of water and pastures.
“In the last couple of months we have seen an increase in the number of wild animals along the highway and this has resulted in serious accidents,” he said.
