By Antynet Ford
Sixty Hyenas have so far been captured in Juja by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) as part of ‘Operation Ondoa Fisi’.
The Operation Ondoa Fisi was launched by the KWS in response to a series of deadly attacks by the animals in the area.
Some hyenas have also been killed in the exercise meant to restore normalcy in the Juja sub-county.
The operation, which began on September 8, 2024, followed the tragic deaths of two residents, including five-year-old Njoroge Gitau, who was killed by a hyena on September 4, 2024.
The operation is led by Senior Assistant Director for the Central Rift Conservation Area Joseph Dadacha, where they have mobilized officers from Nairobi, Laikipia, and Nakuru.
Their efforts are aimed at relocating the hyenas that have been terrorizing local communities.
The urgency of the situation escalated after a 52-year-old woman was also mauled to death while returning from the market.
These incidents sparked outrage among residents, who threatened to take action if KWS did not intervene swiftly.
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KWS has also increased patrols in high-risk areas, including Nyacaba, Athi, Juja Farm, Gwa Kigwe, and Muthara Village, to prevent further attacks.
Last year President William Ruto introduced a Sh 960 million compensation scheme to support the families of those affected by the attacks in response to the human-wildlife conflict.
This initiative aims to ease the burden on victims and their families as the government works to mitigate the threat posed by wildlife in the region.