The Mountain Journal
Residents of Murang’a will petition the government to include vervet monkeys in the list of wild animals whose destruction will be compensated.
The urge to have monkeys listed as destructive animals has attracted petitioners from Gatanga sub county where farmers have lost their food and cash crops to the marauding animals.
The advocates of the petition awaiting to be submitted at the national assembly are led by Murang’a County Assembly Deputy Speaker Moses Gachui.
Murang’a County Assembly Deputy Speaker Mr Moses Gachui says the residents have incurred high costs following destruction of their food and cash crops by marauding monkeys in their farms.
The marauding animals have caused menace in Gatanga and Gatundu North sub counties in Murang’a and Kiambu counties.
In the petition the residents wish vervet monkey to be included in the third schedule of the wildlife compensation and management 2013.
Gachui say the petition by residents in the sub counties of Gatanga, Kandara, Maragua, Kigumo and Gatundu North want amendment of the shedule on the wildlife conversation and management 2013 to compensate crops, livestock and property claims that arise from destruction by vervet monkeys.
Gachui said farmers in Gatanga have suffered over destruction of their cash crops including avocados, macadamia and coffee.
“We seek the national assembly to consider the petition as there are troops of monkeys hovering in the villages causing destruction to hundreds of homestead,” said Gachui.
Monica Njambi a resident of Kirwara village say she has incurred major loses after the vervet monkeys invaded her avocado orchard causing massive destruction.
“It is a pity that KWS rangers have been unable to deal with the marauding animals that destroyed all the fruits in my farm, said Ms Njambi.
Solomon Mwaura a resident of Kihumbu ini village say the farmers are forced to keep watch in their farms scaring the monkeys.
“Only a legislation will help save the farmers be registered for compensation for the destruction,”said Mwaura.
Esther Njeri, a resident of Kigumo say the monkeys have caused massive destruction to many of the families in Murang’a.
“We have incidents of animals breaking into homes stealing food stuffs,” said Njeri.
Former Governor Mwangi Wa Iria had established a team.to chase the monkeys back in the Aberdare forest following destruction of crops.
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