Residents of Koimur village in Turbo sub county in Uasin Gishu County are currently living in fear after a wild animal believed to be a leopard went on the prowl killing domestic livestock.
Speaking to West Media, area residents expressed worries over the wanton destruction caused by the animal on Mr. Morogo Sambai’s farm where a total of 14 sheep were killed at night with others left with injuries.
According to Mr. Sambai the animal crept into his compound in the wee hours of the night before it strangled to death 14 of his flock of sheep leaving other six with serious injuries.
He said they were shocked by the sight of lifeless carcasses strewn all over when they woke up at about six o’clock in the morning.
“The shocking bit of it is that after killing my sheep, the predator just siphoned their blood only, leaving behind lifeless carcasses,” narrated Mr. Sambai.
Mr. Sambai said he informed Kenya Wildlife officials who visited the scene and assessed the damage which is approximated to be over Kshs. 200,000.
He said the official informed him that the destruction was most likely caused by a leopard.
Following the incident, desperate residents are calling upon the KWS officials to help trap the animal, noting that they are worried it might continue to cause great havoc if nothing was done.
They said they are not only worried about their livestock but also their own safety and that of their children.
They have threatened to hunt for the animal and mete instant justice if action to save them further losses will not be taken by the concerned office. “We are living in fear, we can’t even go outside our houses at night because of the animal, if the KWS will not take action to trap it, we will hunt and kill it,” said Mr. Joseph Lelei.