Effects of climate change and drought have hit residents of the Ukambani region hard with some resorting to game meat as an alternative source of food.
The hunger situation especially in parts of the three Ukambani counties; Machakos, Kitui and Makueni has ravaged most families with majority having no food to feed themselves and children.
As a result, four zebras were on Sunday slaughtered by residents in the outskirts of Machakos town.
The wildlife were attacked by members of the public who caught up with them while on their way to Maruba dam near Machakos Peoples Park in Machakos county.
Machakos County Wildlife Officer, Gladys Moraa, said the residents fled the scene after killing and slaughtering the animals.
“There was a citizen who called one of my waders informing him that he had seen a heard of zebras headed towards the People’s Park in Machakos. I sent a team of warders to go to the scene only to find carcasses of the four zebras,” Moraa said.
She spoke to the Star on the phone on Monday.
Moraa said those who attacked, killed and slaughtered the animals fled the scene immediately after they committed the crime.
No one had been arrested in connection to the incident by press time.
Moraa said there was need to sensitise the public on the importance of wildlife and why they should be protected.
She warned the public against killing the wildlife stating that it was unlawful to do so.
Moraa said the public should inform relevant authority including the Kenya Wildlife Services whenever they spot any wildlife within their midst.
She said the public should be tolerant to the animals to reduce instances of human-wildlife conflict.
