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Residents from Kiarathe village within the Kangema constituency have called on the government to provide compensation for damages inflicted by wolves over the last month.

They claimed the attacks have pushed families into financial hardship, with victims losing livestock and facing significant medical expenses.

Victims stated that they have used up their savings for medical treatment and are unable to work because of serious injuries.

Tea cultivation, which forms the foundation of the local economy, has suffered because the wolves have prevented workers from reaching the farms.

Lucy Waithera, a tea picker who was assaulted while working on her farm, mentioned she was bitten on the leg and was saved by neighbors who heard her cries.

She mentioned that the experience has not only caused her physical injuries from nursing but also psychological ones.

Julius Ngunjiri stated that he was assaulted while gathering feed and is currently undergoing medical care.

He mentioned that one of the animals later attacked his cow, resulting in its death and ending the income he earned from dairy farming.

“The cow was my sole source of income and was worth Sh250,000,” Ngunjiri stated.

He mentioned that his wife also had to receive seven rabies vaccine shots after coming into contact with the injured animal, increasing their medical costs.

Beatrice Nyambura, who was assaulted while harvesting tea, was hospitalized for three weeks.

Residents of Kiairathe in Kangema, Murang’a, show injuries resulting from attacks by wild animals believed to be wolves/ ALICE WAITHERA

She suffered injuries to her hands, neck, and legs and now needs frequent hospital visits for wound care.

Nyambura mentioned that her medical expenses have exceeded Sh200,000 and she is still not completely recovered.

Kimani Gachihi, an 80-year-old man, was also hurt while cutting feed. He mentioned that the attack left him unable to walk for extended periods or participate in any productive activities because of ongoing discomfort.

Residents have shown frustration due to insufficient assistance from officials.

As per Mercy Njeri, officials from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) stated that the animals involved are not eligible for compensation according to current regulations.

“We were attacked and continue to live in fear, but we are being told there is no compensation since the animals are not on the list,” she said.

Kangema Member of Parliament Peter Kihungi met with the affected families and called on the national government, via the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife Services, to take action and provide support and compensation to the victims.

He mentioned that agricultural work has considerably slowed down because laborers are afraid to enter the plantations where the attacks took place.

After the incidents, KWS initiated an operation to monitor and manage the dangerous animals.

Warden John Gathua mentioned that the dense tea plants have complicated the search but pledged that efforts would keep going until the animals are under control.

Accounts indicate that the animals have since moved to the adjacent Kanyenyaini region, increasing tensions, leading to heightened anxiety and prompting locals to shut down their businesses before sunset.

On a national level, the government allocated Sh3.8 billion between 2023 and 2025 to support individuals affected by animal attacks, including Sh908 million distributed in 2023, Sh960 million in the previous year, and approximately Sh1.95 billion this year.