Hundreds of wildlife in Kajiado county still face starvation due to drought even as parts of the country continue to record heavy rains.
According to the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI), the rains had improved the condition of pastures for wild animals in various counties across the country.
This came as the institute said it would in the coming week release its report on the impact of the drought on the country’s wildlife.
In the last couple of days, parts of the country have recorded heavy rains though the meteorological department is warning that this will reduce in the coming days.
According to the Director of the Institute Dr Patrick Omondi, Kajiado which was a host to several game ranches and national Game Parks was the most affected county.
He identified the wildebeest as the most affected species in the country by the drought despite the government introducing several mitigation measures.
“The rains have come at the right time mainly for the starving wild animals though not all parts of the country have benefited,” he said.
Omondi added that the institute and other government agencies like KWS were involved in water trucking, provision of hay and other supplements to the affected animals.
“We have invested in the supply of water and hay to the most affected parts mainly in Amboseli national park where we lost tens of the wildlife,” he said.
Omondi added that currently, they were compiling data on the current status of wildlife and mitigations measures put in place as many counties continued to record the harsh weather.
“Unlike other species, the black rhino which is mainly hosted in private sanctuaries have not been adversely affected by the drought like other wild animals,” he said.
This came as stakeholders around Lake Naivasha called on the government to act on several institutions that had dug water channels around the riparian land in search of water.
They noted that the trenches had locked out tens of wild animals, mainly hippos from accessing pastures even as water levels continued to drop due to the ongoing drought.
According to Lake Naivasha Boat Owners Association chairman David Kilo, the trenches had left tens of animals marooned on one side of the lake warning that this could lead to starvation.
“The exercise has cut off access to parts of riparian land and in turn, the animals are now seeking pastures in nearby estates and farms leading to increased cases of attacks,” he said.
-Edited by SKanyara
