‘Who’s to Blame?’ KWS, locals clash over wildlife menace in Nakuru estates

Cases of human-wildlife conflict around estates bordering Lake Nakuru have been occurring intermittently, including periodic animal escapes from the park and occasional baboon aggression resulting in bites.

While Kenya Wildlife Services does not deny these cases, the agency blames them on vandalism of the perimeter fence by residents.

Speaking on the matter, Emmanuel Koech, Assistant Director of Kenya Wildlife Services, directly accuses residents of intentionally creating openings in the fence for animals to pass through.

“Some people have damaged our fence between Flamingo and all the way to Ndarugu River. For the last two weeks, we’ve lost a lot of wires - we replace them, and tomorrow they’re gone again. When an animal escapes, residents complain. What this means is that residents are opening up passages for animals to come to their homes, and then they cry foul,” he says.

While animal escapes could be attributed to areas where the lake has exceeded its banks, Koech notes that very few animals use this route and adds that most enter through sections where the fence has been vandalized, especially the buffalo.

However, Koech acknowledges the difficulty in controlling baboons specifically.

“The animal we may not really be able to control is the baboons, but they also follow where the food is. We advise the community to dispose of their waste properly - if they don't get food at your homes, they won’t come back. That’s the only way to prevent baboons,” he notes.

The area has witnessed a series of similar confrontations between wildlife and residents. Just last week, a hyena was killed around Shiners, while late last month several buffaloes spotted near the Ndarugu-Soimet bridge caused panic among residents and road users.

In April 2025, the situation escalated further when residents in Barut, Nakuru West sub-county, consumed two of the four buffaloes that had been gunned down by KWS, which had also escaped the park.

While finger-pointing between KWS and residents continues, the recurring incidents highlight an urgent need for dialogue and joint action.