Monkey menace threatens farming existence around Mutomo hills

By James Wambua Mwendo

Communities living around Mutomo hills, also known as Ngomeni hills, are in great dilemma. Their dilemma has been augmented by monkeys which inhabit the area and invade the farmers’ shambas and homesteads daily. This monkey menace has made farming around the area impossibility as the monkeys cause destruction on the farms leaving the farmers a frustrated lot.

Farmers here say that despite having reported these cases of invasion to the District Kenya Wildlife Society (KWS) Office, no fruitful response has been forthcoming. As it stands now, the KWS policy states that there is no compensation for crop destruction or any domestic animal killed by the monkeys. Compensation is only made in the case of a snake bite case or a death of a person caused by a wild animal.

Now the affected farmers are appealing to the KWS to remove these monkeys to an area like Ithumba hill, which is a part of Tsavo East Game Park. They feel that is only such an action which will enable them cultivate their farms for economic and social development.

The monkeys, which the farmers estimate to be over two hundred in number and which were less than ten same twenty years ago, appear to keep on multiplying and farmers live in the fear that in the very near future, this will halt the farming activities which will have dire consequences on development in the area.

Monkeys are known to eat almost anything which is grown on the farm. These include; maize, green grams , cowpeas, millet, sorghum, cassava roots ,pawpaw fruits, sweet potatoes, guava fruits, water lemon beans, pumpkins, vegetables like kales, spinach, tomatoes, mango fruits. They also eat the poultry, goats and lambs .In addition to this, the monkeys pose a threat to water hygiene as they drink from the water harvesting structures around the areas. One of these water harvesting structures is Kaseva Rock catchment.

Although the residents around Mutomo hills recognize that farming is an important activity towards achieving economic stability, the monkey menace has deprived them of this luxury. Through forming Self-Help groups the members have received farming skills through different training from relevant Government ministries as well as Non-Governmental organizations.

They are therefore appealing to the District KWS office to take the necessary measures to help them enjoy their farming activities and realize food security.