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Juja, Kiambu County – September 6, 2024
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Rebecca Miano, EGH, has called for urgent measures to curb the alarming rise in human-wildlife conflict, following a series of deadly hyena attacks in Juja, Kiambu County. In her statement, CS Miano emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting human life, describing the recent incidents as tragic and unacceptable.
The directive comes after a five-year-old child was killed by a hyena in the area, marking the second fatal attack in recent weeks. Last month, a woman was also mauled to death at dawn, sparking growing concern among local residents. The community has since called on the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and other relevant authorities to intervene and bring the escalating hyena menace to an end.
“This loss of two innocent lives is not only heartbreaking but intolerable. As a mother, the pain of these families resonates deeply with me. I have directed the Kenya Wildlife Service to act immediately and ensure that no more lives are lost to wild animals in Juja,” said CS Miano in her address to the media.
She announced a series of swift actions to address the situation, including the immediate removal of hyenas from the area and the deployment of 24-hour surveillance teams to prevent further attacks. KWS personnel have already been dispatched on the ground to execute the operation, with CS Miano expressing confidence that the situation will be fully resolved by the end of September 2024.
“The people of Juja should know that we are taking this matter seriously. KWS has been instructed to mop up all hyenas in the region as fast as humanly possible, and we will demonstrate to the residents that this menace will soon be a thing of the past,” Miano added.
Local leaders and residents have lauded the Ministry’s swift response, expressing hope that the government’s actions will bring relief to the affected communities, who have lived in fear of the marauding hyenas for several months.
The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife reiterated its commitment to resolving human-wildlife conflicts across the country, assuring Kenyans that wildlife conservation will continue in harmony with the safety and well-being of all citizens.
