Residents of Flamingo and Kaloleni estates neighboring Nakuru National Park have condemned the manner in which the KWS management has been responding in ensuring end to human-wildlife conflict in the area.
This comes barely a day after 8 year old pupil sustained serious injuries after he was attacked by a baboon.
The pupil was admitted at the Nakuru War memorial and according to the parents,Dancun Okemwo a standard two pupil at Flamingo Primary was attacked by the animal at school during break time.
The father to the boy Jesse Mwangi says he was called by the teachers via phone call with information that his son had been attacked by the baboon and was admitted.
He adds with shock that when he contacted the KWS officials on the same incident and the hospital bill which now amounts to Kshs 8, 000 he was told such cases are not compensated.
“I was called by the teachers at school that my son had been attacked by baboon and admitted…Right now in the hospital the bill is over Kshs.8000.I have tried to reach the KWS for assistance but they said they don’t deal with such cases” he said.
Mr.Mwangi is now calling on the government to step in and assist to ensure justice for his son who was innocent in all this.
Sentiments echoed by head teacher Flamingo Primary Mr.Karanja Mwangi who says such cases have been rampant since the school borders the park.
The school head called on KWS to ensure such incidents of human wildlife conflicts are addressed by containing their animals in the park.
“We are calling on the KWS to take the initiative of making sure that when these animals get out of the park they make arrangements to take them back. Our school is vulnerable since we are just separated by a fence….The child almost lost his hand in the incident” he said.
The area residents too blame the KWS adding that they have reported such cases for many years but their grievances have fell on a deaf ear.
“The baboons have been a menace to us residents of this area. They ae not giving us peace we can’t send our children to shops. Let KWS play their role since we have reported this matter on many occasion “said Mary Muigai a resident of Kaloleni.
However, speaking to the media, Senior Park Warden Muteru Njauini said the matter had been reported at their office.
He was however quick to note that no compensation can be given as the law does not allow them
He said there will be more civic education to the area residents to try and solve the human-wildlife conflict in the area and avoid more such incidents.
It should be noted that this is not the first time this is happening in Nakuru as in July similar incidents were reported in Free area estate of Nakuru East.
PHOTO:Doctors nurse wounds of a boy who was attacked by baboons in Flamingo estate of Nakuru East.Residents have faulted KWS for not taking action to contain the animals.