A section of Juja residents in Kiambu County have expressed dissatisfaction with lessons that were shared by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) on what Kenyans should do to avoid hyena attacks.
On their social media platforms, KWS shared seven lessons on how Kenyans should act when they encounter hyenas.
Among the seven lessons, KWS advised Kenyans not to run, not show signs of fear and keep themselves calm by talking to the killer animal.
It is this lesson that has sparked public uproar in Juja, where two children and a female adult have been mauled to death by hyenas in the last 40 days.
Concerned residents led by Monicah Wanjira said that it will be difficult to face a killer hyena and talk to it.
“The intention of the animal is to kill and eat your flesh, how on earth do you talk to it? The animal is looking for food and you have to protect yourself, you cannot have the courage to stand and have a conversation with an enemy, how?” she paused.
Her sentiments were echoed by John Kimani, a resident of Witeithie ward in Juja, who said that it is normal for a person to run for his/her dear life when wild animals stage an attack.
“Normally, when you see hyenas, you will run as fast as you can to save your life, you can’t stand and wait for them to maul you, it’s impossible.” He acknowledged.
He however asked officers from KWS to hunt down the killer hyenas and transfer them to protected zones away from people’s residences or else they kill them.
On his part, KWS boss, Fredrick Kisela who is in charge of Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park told Juja residents to stay calm as they hunt down the wild animals.
“We have several traps that have been placed in strategic positions to catch these hyenas and some have been caught, they should not be worried because everything is under control,” Kisela assured juja residents.
The latest incident saw a 10-year-old boy killed by hyenas and his remains collected at Gwa Kigwi village in Juja on January 3, 2024.
