Farmers from Thome village in Laikipia Central district on Monday held a peaceful demonstration.
They complained about crop destruction by wild animals from the neighbouring Ol Pejeta conservancy.
On January 12, animals razed farms and destroyed crops ready for harvesting.
The farmers said they are tired of promises by the conservancy to build a fence to keep wild pigs, warthogs and baboons at bay.
The farmers marched to the conservancy gate to seek audience with chief executive Richard Vigne. Waving placards and twigs inviting the intervention by Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri, they walked 20km to the conservancy.
Vigne was not available and the farmers were addressed by KWS officers and Moses Muthoki, the conservancy’s community manager.
Muthoki said mitigation of human-wildlife conflict is part of Ol Pejeta’s 2020 plan.
He said a section of the electric fence surrounding the conservancy was recently destroyed by the rains.
The farmers accused the conservancy of using old nets on the fence, making it easy for the pigs to leave. Tigithi MCA Beth Muchiri said despite earning billions of shillings, the conservancy does not care about the farmers’ welfare.
“The conservancy is working with the county government to implement a major fencing programme across Laikipia,” Muthoki said.
Farmers demanded they themselves be allowed to deal with the wild animals.
They said they are tired of meetings that do not provide solutions.
The farmers called on the county government to intervene as they will be begging for relief food if the animals are not stopped from invading their farms.
