Kirinyaga Villagers Cry for Help as Monkey Invasion Wreaks Havoc on Farms and Homes

Residents of Kanderi and Kagongo villages in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County, are appealing for urgent intervention following a relentless invasion of monkeys that has upended their daily lives and destroyed their livelihoods

Led by Simon Ndege Gitari and Richard Muchira, the villagers say large troops of monkeys have taken over their farms and homesteads, ravaging crops, damaging property, and scaring residents

“The biggest concern is the damage they are causing to our crops,” said Ndege. “We can’t plant or harvest anything without them showing up”

Muchira added that the primates have completely destroyed maize meant for silage and continue to raid fruit trees and cash crops

“They’ve eaten all our fruits, banana bunches, coffee cherries, and macadamia nuts. Sometimes they even chase women around the homesteads,” he lamented

The situation has become so dire that some residents have stopped attending church services for fear of the marauding animals

“For the past three weeks, I haven’t gone to church. Even my grandchildren keep asking why. They don’t understand that the same animals we pray about are the ones causing us so much destruction,” Gitari said

The residents believe the monkeys are coming from the nearby Thiba Dam area, and they are calling on wildlife authorities to take immediate action before the situation worsens

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Jane Wambui, another affected villager, said attempts to seek help from local administrators have been frustrating

“I went to the Deputy County Commissioner’s office in Kianyaga, but they told me to go to their main office in Embu. We live in Kirinyaga why should we have to travel to another county to get help? Where will we even get the fare?” she asked

The community is now urging the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and county leaders to step in and protect them from what they describe as a “monkey menace” that has robbed them of food, peace, and security

Writer : Mweru Mbugua