For years, people living along the Lake Nakuru National Park fringes have had to endure the effects of human-wildlife conflict.

According to Esther Muthoni, a resident of Naka Estate, they have had to sound the alarm to Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) officials every time the park animals cross into the residential area.

"Although it is considered harmless, this week I saw an alert of a warthog on the loose. As a result, I was forced to accompany my child to school in the morning just to make sure he was safe," she says.

Raymond Cheruiyot, chairman of the Naka Estate Residents Association, notes that baboons are the most notorious in the estate.

Read: Another baboon attack in Section 58, as KWS plan to "scare them back to the park"

"Efforts to fence our house have not borne fruit in keeping the baboons away. They are so cunning that they can get past the electric shocks on the fences. This makes it difficult to even have a vegetable garden at home," Mr Cheruiyot laments.

He notes that during the dry season, baboons invade residential areas, describing them as a nuisance as they jump and play on the roof as they move around.

Speaking to Mtaa Wangu, the deputy district warden in charge of human-wildlife conflict, James Kilele, acknowledged that there have indeed been cases of park animals straying into residential areas.

"This challenge is mainly due to loose fencing that has allowed some park animals to enter areas adjacent to the park. However, the park is currently undergoing maintenance and the entire 78km fence is being upgraded," Mr Kilele says.

He notes that the upgrade would see the fence being hyena or lion proof from Naishi, Pwani area and soon it will extend to Mwaraki, Naka, Free area, all the way round to ensure that the old Lake Nakuru National Park fence is replaced with a modern protective fence.

Read: Woman in Free Area nursing injuries after a monkey attack

"The electric fence will be complemented by a chain link fence to prevent wildlife from crossing into residential areas. Soon we will be able to solve the problem of human-wildlife conflict for residents who enter the park," Mr Kilele said.

KWS to upgrade 78km of fence in Lake Nakuru National Park to reduce human-wildlife conflict

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