Kilifi Conservation Groups Count Losses as Hippos Disrupt Mangrove Projects
By Charo Banda
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Various environmental conservation groups in Sabaki, Kilifi County, are estimating losses worth thousands of shillings after their mangrove seedlings dried up due to lack of water. Members of the groups say they now fear for their safety.
Led by Dominic Kenee from the Hippo Camp group, they say the increase in hippos along the Sabaki River has made it impossible for conservationists to continue their mangrove planting activities along the dangerous riverbank.
The conservationists say the area has now become extremely dangerous, noting that hippos leave the river to graze at any time, putting them at risk of attack.
Margaret Jumwa, chairlady of the Sabaki Fisherwomen Group which also runs a mangrove project in the area, says the main challenge is accessing their seedlings planted just meters from the river. The seedlings have already dried up from lack of water.
They add that the seedlings had become their main source of livelihood, and the collapse of the project is a major blow to efforts to sustain their lives.
William Kaingu, one of the fishermen in the area, says fishing activities have also been disrupted due to fear of the animals.
They are now calling on the government, through the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), to install an electric fence in the high-risk area. They are also asking for a boardwalk to be built and for KWS officers to conduct regular patrols in the area.
Recently, a 70-year-old man was attacked and killed by a hippo and another woman sustained injuries when she was attacked by a hippo along the Sabaki river.
However, they have also urged the Kilifi County Government, through its leaders, to intervene and support these conservation groups.
They warn that they could face severe hunger since they have been relying on the mangrove seedling project.
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