- Farmers in Kisumu County say monkeys have increased their raids on houses and farms, causing losses when crops were ready to be harvested.
- Some residents reported injuries, claiming the animals move in organized groups and strike early in the morning
- Kenya Wildlife Service warned locals against trapping or handling wildlife, citing safety and disease risks, as officials plan to intervene
Residents of Akingli village in the county of Poisonous they face an increase in human-wildlife conflicts after monkeys regularly invade their homes and farms, leaving a trail of destruction and fear.
Source: UGC
The chimpanzees have destroyed crops about to be harvested and, according to locals, have become increasingly aggressive, even targeting people.
Frustrated by the increasing losses, some villagers took matters into their own hands, capturing the animals and transporting them to the nearest Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) office.
Early on Tuesday, January 27, a resident, Nikanor Bodo, was seen closing the cage carrying two young monkeys on his bicycle three.
The mangoes scattered around his compound told the story of a night raid that left his family counting losses.
How do chimpanzees affect the safety of Kisumu residents?
Bodo complained that even the things stored inside were not preserved. He said the chimpanzees destroyed seeds placed inside the house and were seen taking household items, including his children’s school books, before running away.
Apart from crop damage, residents say safety has become a major concern. Several people are suffering from injuries after encountering the animals, which are reported to move in groups and appear to be bold enough to attack at close range.
Chimpanzees are reported to show increased aggression towards females.
“They make a lot of noise. I have to wear pants, a t-shirt and a hat. When I wear that and chase them away, they think I’m a man and they run away,” an elderly female resident said.
Villagers say the frequency of raids has increased, making daily activities dangerous.
However, the Kenya Wildlife Service has warned against residents handling wild animals themselves.
Grace Kariuki, KWS chief warden in Kisumu, warned that monkeys are dangerous and can spread serious diseases.
He said the service does not want citizens to be affected, adding that KWS officers have been involved in setting traps and will take over the situation.
KWS indicated that officers will be sent to Akingli to deal with the growing crisis and restore security to the residents.
How do elephants affect Makueni farmers?
Elsewhere, a similar crisis is emerging in Mikomani village and neighboring areas of Mtito Andei in Makueni county.
Farmers there are counting heavy losses after elephants strayed from the Tsavo East National Park and raided fields overnight, destroying crops and property.
Residents say the elephants caused great damage to the food crops that many households depend on for survival and income.
Some farmers have accused KWS of being too slow to respond despite many distress calls, and allowing animals to roam freely in fields and residences.
Affected communities are now demanding immediate action, including the rapid deployment of response teams and long-term solutions to keep wildlife off farms. They are also asking the government to complete fencing along the unfenced parts of the park to prevent future encroachments.
Makueni County is among the 23 counties currently facing drought, with crop damage reported. Residents say ongoing wildlife encroachment is exacerbating the crisis and increasing the risk of starvation among already vulnerable households.
Source: Facebook
Why did the Siaya man take the python to the police station
In December 2025, an incident in Sigomere, Siaya County drew public attention after an angry man wandered into a nearby police station carrying a large python.
He said the snake entered his enclosure while he was away and crushed his dog, a pet he described as important to his family.
A video shared online showed the man speeding away and moaning in pain as the python dangled from the bike carrier.
He explained that he was reporting the matter to the police because he felt little had been done to address the frequent wildlife threats affecting local residents.
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