Three years after the Murang’a county government launched a controversial Sh5 million operation to relocate velvet monkeys back to the natural forests, the primates are back disturbing peace.
In Murang’a town, the residents have reported losing their valuables after the marauding animals strayed into their homes causing destruction to food crops.
Jane Wakarima, a resident in the Milimani area, said a troop of the primates this week even broke into her house through a broken window.
He said the animals got access into her kitchen where they turned down all the wares and ate all the food preserved for her children.
“We appreciate peace that we have enjoyed since after they were relocated there was peace. Today there are tens of animals divided into troops and strays into the residential areas after 8 am,” said Wakarima.
The locals blame the menace following the destruction of their habitats in the forests over increased human activities.
The county government moved to launch the major operation at the sub counties after the farmers in Gatanga pleaded with Governor Mwangi wa Iria to help in eradicating the primates in their neighbourhood, a venture that cost Sh2.5 million.
In areas near the Murang’a County Commissioner office, the police station and the county referral hospital are forced to keep guard as the animals hibernate in the nearby trees.
Children are also at risk as they are accompanied by their parents when on way to school to save them from encounters with the marauding animals that hibernate along the banks of Mathioya and Maragua rivers.
There are reports, he said, the animals have destroyed the avocado fruits, bananas, paw paw among others in various parts, including Iyego in Kangema.
“The residents should report incidents to the authorities through their chiefs to help in getting solutions to the menace,” said the KWS official.
Murang’a KWS warden-in-charge Lawrence Chege said he was aware of the upsurge of monkeys following the improvement of crops in the farms.
County Agriculture CEC Albert Mwaniki acknowledged the resurgence of the monkey menace saying they had caused destruction in areas of Kongo-ini and Kandundu.
Mwaniki said there were farmers still using the traps that were distributed by the county government in 2018.
“ We shall liaise with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to drive them away and protect our crops from destruction,” said the executive committee member.
Utility
KWS office in Murang’a was re-opened three years ago, after 10 years of absence through efforts of the former County Commissioner John Elungata.
More than 10,000 monkeys were relocated to Aberdare forests and fruit tree seedlings dropped from the air.
