The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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A family in Leheley, Wajir County, is mourning the loss of their 25-day-old baby after a baboon attacked their makeshift home and killed the infant on Monday.
According to police, the mother had left her baby girl asleep in their traditional Somali hut while she went to fetch water nearby. Upon returning, she saw a baboon fleeing from the house — only to find her child dead from the attack.
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Police officers and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) personnel visited the scene to begin investigations. The baby’s body was later buried according to local customs, and the family was advised to pursue compensation.
Authorities say such attacks are becoming increasingly common in the area as wild animals venture closer to human settlements in search of water. Locals have raised concerns that the animals, particularly baboons, often target women and children, calling for stronger wildlife control measures.
The incident adds to the growing list of human–wildlife conflicts across the country, even as the government steps up efforts to mitigate them.
Earlier this year, Kenya rolled out the third phase of its Human–Wildlife Conflict Compensation Programme, which seeks to support victims and promote peaceful coexistence. During its launch at Meru National Park, President William Ruto unveiled the Wildlife Conservation Card, developed in partnership with KCB Bank, to help raise funds for conservation efforts.
“Compensation is justice, but prevention is progress,” Ruto said, emphasizing the importance of long-term solutions such as fencing and community-led conservation.
The Conservation Card — available in Platinum (Elephant), Gold (Lion), and Silver (Cheetah) tiers — channels a portion of each transaction (Sh10, Sh5, and Sh3 respectively) to the Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund, ensuring that both Kenyans and global supporters can contribute to wildlife protection.
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Officials note that while elephants are involved in most conflict cases, other animals — including leopards and baboons — are increasingly attacking livestock and people near parks and settlements.
The government and conservation partners continue to urge communities to remain vigilant and report wildlife threats promptly as efforts intensify to ensure safer coexistence between humans and animals.
