By Rasto Wamalwa
Residents of Mawe Tatu village in Sango Ward, Likuyani Subcounty, Kakamega County, are living in fear following a suspected leopard attack that left two sheep dead and one seriously injured early this morning.
David Nyongesa, a local resident, recounted being startled by the cries of his sheep at around 4 a.m. Upon rushing outside, he discovered the lifeless bodies of his sheep, their necks bearing bite marks consistent with a leopard attack.
The incident has heightened concerns in the village, with many worried about their livestock and personal safety. “This animal has killed many sheep in our village. We are scared for our families, especially young school-going children. The leopard might attack again, and next time, it could be worse,” said Nyongesa.
Just a few meters from Nyongesa’s home, Teresa Barasa also fell victim to the attack. Her sheep was seriously injured by the same animal. “I was preparing to leave my house when I saw my sheep running inside, bleeding. The animal, which looks like a leopard, was trying to feast on it in broad day light. We are tired of making losses because of this animal,” she said.
Residents have expressed frustration over the lack of immediate action from wildlife authorities. Area MCA Kennedy Lutilo has urged the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to intervene swiftly.
“We urge KWS to respond quickly and capture the animal before it harms more livestock or people. This is not the first time we’ve faced such a threat,” Lutilo emphasized.
In the meantime, villagers are keeping overnight vigils to protect their livestock. However, they fear these temporary measures may not be enough. Residents are calling for long-term solutions, such as improved wildlife monitoring and the creation of buffer zones to separate human settlements from wildlife habitats.
