- Global Voices - https://globalvoices.org -

Kenya: Human-Wildlife Conflict in Urban Jungle

Categories: Sub-Saharan Africa, Kenya, Citizen Media, Environment

Angry residents of Kitengela, an outskirt of Nairobi, killed 6 lions [1] on 20 June who attacked a dozen of livestock. A pride of lions invaded a homestead [2] in the area the following day killing goats and sheep. Incidents of human-wildlife conflict have been on the rise [3] recently.

We took a trip around Twittersphere to find out interesting reactions about the incident from Kenyans using the hashtags #Lion and #Kitengela:

@ntvkenya [4]: #KWS [Kenya Wildlife Service] insists that it will deal with #killers of #sixlions in #Kitengela according to the #law

@Mainado [5]: I think @kwskenya should be held solely responsible for the death of the six lions in #Kitengela. They could've done more to keep them in.

[6]

A humorous depiction of human wildlife conflict: Lions preparing for battle. Image courtesy of funkenya.com via @RobertAlai.

@jamessmat [7]: #Lions attack 3 Manyatta's in Kitengela killing Livestock. Morans [Maasai warrior] are asking KWS to do their job before they help them in 24 hours

@LIONAID [8]: And now, having lost over 90% of Africa's #lions, we see the emergence of the #lionbonetrade to kill yet more. How much worse can it get?

@oletoirai [9]: @kws #kitengela. Yes there is no compensation for the killed livestock . . . Still a maasai should sit n watch?

Some tweeps used humor to express their opinions about the incident:

@coldtusker [10]: Dear residents of #Kitengela, there are 7 billion people, you are NOT the star (or any sort of) attraction. The Lions are…

@shicsdavida [11]: @insidelaura amma b heading to #kitengela n hp da lions don't take revenge on me thinkin am a #moran

@shicsdavida: @insidelaure I will be heading to kitengela and hope that lions wont take revenge on me thinking I am a Maasai warrior

@kimaniduku [12]: @Mwangoedd dadangu mdogo,mambo vpi.tembea #kitengela ukunywe damu ya simba

@kimaniduku: @Mwangoedd my young sister, how are you. visit kitengele to drink lion's blood

@coldtusker [13]: Residents of #kitengela – 99% tourists don't come see your goats, cows or you dance… They come to see Lions or hit the beach

@KenyanTwitcess [14]: Kenya got some intelligent lions!! @StandardKenya: Kenyan #lions in revenge attack in #Kitengela http://bit.ly/MHlFGp

@coldtusker [15]: IMHO, #kitengela residents should spear the MPigs [referring to Members of Parliament] stealing from Kenyans not the beautiful Lions just trying to survive…

The Human-Wildlife Conflict Collaboration (HWCC) reports that [16]human-wildlife conflict is becoming more prevalent as human populations increase, development expands, the global climate changes and other human and environmental factors put people and wildlife in greater direct competition for a shrinking resource base.