After a pack of eight wild dogs killed 28 sheep in Ol Kalau, parents fear their children may be next.
Children walk to school in the dark, leaving before 6am. That's when the dogs struck.
The animals are suspected to be hiding in the bushes, where children pass on the way to and from school. Residents have urged the government to swiftly to ensure their safety.
“We fear for our children. The government must come to our rescue," Ruth Nyambura said. Parents said they would not allow their children to leave early for school until the dogs are found.
Farmer Joel Kagunya in Busia village said 13 of 20 sheep were devoured, five carcasses were left behind and two more were injured may not survive. He said he lost Sh100,000.
Villagers chased the dogs away.
“This is a great loss as my sheep are Hampshire. There were two big rams for which I was offered Sh15,000 each in December, but I declined. Most ewes would have sold for Sh8,000 toSh9,000,” he said
The father of three had tethered his sheep in an open field at 6am, and went to collect milk from farmers. He transports milk to Ol Kalou dairy. Kagunya said the dogs invaded shortly after he left.
The dead and dying animals were discovered about 7am, causing panic in the village as women and children screamed.
Kagunya said the dogs ran fast and residents were afraid to get too close. Even the domestic dogs did not get close.
“They looked like dogs or hyenas. They are grey, with long white tails and long pointed ears. We have never seen such animals in this village," resident John Githinji said.
Nyandarua deputy police commander Joseph Mwenje, visited the scene and urged KWS officials to drive away or capture the dogs. Residents suspect they strayed from Lake Ol Bolossat.
Mwenje urged residents to be vigilant.
“These animals are dangerous. You need to build good structures for your sheep and don’t leave them in the field unattended," he said.
Some schools are more than five kilometres away and the walk is dangerous to children as predators hide along the way. The schools include Passenga secondary and primary, Matura secondary and primary, Huho-ini primary, Rurii secondary and primary and Githunguri secondary and primary.
“The children start their end of term exams on Monday [today]. We may not allow them to go to school as they pass through valleys and bushes where these animals are hiding," Eunice Wanjiru said.
Mwenje urged the parents to liaise with school heads and discuss how to ensure children are safe until the animals are driven out of the area.
KWS officers cautioned residents against eating the carcasses or feeding them to their dogs, saying the killer dogs might be rabid. They were told in that case they decided to slaughter the two injured sheep, they should consult meat inspectors to verify safety.
The KWS officers also said they should be called immediately when wild animals are spotted in residential areas.
