Senators have commenced a probe on whether the government has put in place measures to prevent the destruction of crops by hippos in West Kano Irrigation Scheme, Kisumu County.
The lawmakers will also inquire whether there are steps taken to address the threat to human life caused by the animals.
Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda while seeking a statement from the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources said hippos had become a menace in Kano West.
“The committee should explain measures, if any, put in place by the national Government and the County Government of Kisumu to prevent the destruction of farm crops in West Kano by hippos as well as address threat to human life caused by wild animals,” he said.
He added that the committee should also establish the assistance extended to farmers and residents of West Kano to enhance their knowledge in dealing with human-wildlife conflict including fencing their farms as a deterrent measure against the hippos.
The senator further said the committee should list all reported cases of human-wildlife conflict occasioned by hippos in West Kano rice fields since 2022 to-date, stating the remedial measures taken including compensation of farmers and families of those killed or maimed by hippos.
He noted that two family members were recently killed by hippos in the rice fields.
