The attack shook the community, which has seen multiple incidents of hyenas killing residents over the past few months.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) on Thursday, September 5 committed to expediting the containment of hyena attacks within Nairobi and its neighbouring counties, which made a resurgence for the first time since earlier this year.
KWS’s statement came after a five-year-old child lost his life the previous day in Juja, Kiambu County to a hyena who had snatched him while at a shop with his cousin on the evening of Wednesday, September 4.
The attack shook the community, which has seen multiple incidents of hyenas killing residents over the past few months.
The situation saw residents accuse the government of ignoring their pleas for protection. Despite promises from senior leaders, including Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, little has been done to address the growing menace.
Bird’s eye view of Juja town. /FACEBOOK
“In response to this incident, KWS is intensifying efforts to mitigate human-wildlife conflict in the area. Wildlife management remains challenging, with a significant proportion of wildlife residing outside protected areas, often seasonally,” KWS responded.
To address the hyena threat, KWS launched Operation Ondoa Fisi-2 on August 8, 2024, following a similar incident in Juja. This operation was a buildup on a previous initiative from November 2023 to tackle rising hyena attacks.
Since the start of Operation Ondoa Fisi-2, KWS revealed that it has successfully tracked, captured, and relocated 38 hyenas, and sealed 12 quarries used as hideouts by the hyenas.
“A specialized team has been deployed to manage the current situation, with the operation proceeding in two phases: hyena management and community engagement to educate residents on safety measures,” added KWS.
The wildlife service went on to urge the public to limit movement at night, dispose of waste properly to avoid attracting hyenas, and refrain from tampering with traps set for the animals.
KWS expressed its commitment to working with relevant authorities to address and rehabilitate abandoned quarries within Juja and ensure the safety of all residents.
“We remain steadfast in ensuring the safety and well-being of Kenyans and urge anyone who spots problematic wildlife to immediately report the sighting through the KWS 24/7 hotline on 0800 597 000 or WhatsApp number +254 726610509,” added KWS.
Following the September 4 attack, protests broke out on Thursday, with Juja residents blocking the busy Thika Road and calling on KWS to promptly address the menace.
Witnesses described the attack as swift and brutal. The boy and his cousin had been sent to a local shop in the Nyasaba area when the hyena pounced, with the body of the deceased, according to police, discovered long after he had been killed and partially eaten up by the wild animal.
A month earlier, Gachagua had promised swift action, pledging to send a team of wildlife officers to deal with the hyenas. He made this assurance during a public event, acknowledging the rising number of incidents in the area.
At a recent wedding ceremony in Juja, the Deputy President reiterated that abandoned quarries in the area could be contributing to the hyena problem, serving as hiding spots for the animals.
“The abandoned quarry sites are a real danger. Not only do they provide cover for the hyenas, but they also pose a security threat in other ways,” Gachagua said, citing concerns about mosquitoes breeding in the stagnant waters of the quarries. He promised that the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) would be deployed to relocate the hyenas.
