The invasion of stray buffalos from the nearby Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve is causing widespread destruction of crops and threatening livelihoods in the lower belt areas of Kween District.
The most affected areas include Chepsukunya, Ngenge, Girigi and Sundet, where residents say the animals are destroying crops worth millions of shillings at a time when many households rely heavily on harvests for survival and school fees.
Large maize plantations in the area have been heavily damaged, with farmers reporting losses of up to 70 percent of this season’s crop, alongside rising risks of food insecurity and financial strain caused by loans taken for agricultural investment.
The number of buffalos straying into communities has reportedly increased in recent weeks, making it difficult for residents to contain them using traditional methods, and prompting urgent calls for government intervention.
Farmers say the situation is worsening as the animals not only destroy crops but also threaten personal safety, forcing some residents to abandon routine farming activities such as weeding due to fear of attack.
In Magunga village in Ngenge Sub-county, farmer Francis Mwanga said the buffalos are increasingly entering gardens in large numbers, leading to significant losses in maize fields.
“The buffalos first started coming individually, but now they are increasing in number and we are failing to handle them. They have destroyed most of our maize gardens,” Mwanga said.
In Cheborom village in Sundet Sub-county, farmer Martin Mangusho said the presence of the animals has created fear among residents, with some abandoning farms during critical cultivation stages.
“These stray buffalos are now threatening farmers. At times, people fear going to weed their gardens because the animals are roaming around the area,” Mangusho said.
In Ngenge, farmer Mary Chesami reported the destruction of her sweet potato garden and warned that food insecurity is worsening, while accusing wildlife authorities of delayed response to repeated complaints.
She also recalled a November 2025 incident in which a stray buffalo reportedly killed one person and injured another, saying communities are now living in fear and calling for urgent protection.
“The buffalos stepped on all my sweet potatoes and the garden is now bare. UWA should understand that these animals are putting poor people’s lives at risk and causing food insecurity,” Chesami said.
Local leaders have also raised concern that the invasion is occurring at a critical agricultural stage when crops are flowering and highly vulnerable to damage, warning that continued destruction could deepen poverty levels.
Brown Chemonges, the Girigi village chairperson, said many farmers had taken loans in anticipation of good harvests but are now facing heavy losses.
“Most of the crops are now at flowering stage and any disturbance affects production. Many farmers acquired loans and these buffalo attacks should not be taken lightly,” Chemonges said.
Authorities have been urged to strengthen monitoring and response systems along the reserve boundary to prevent further encroachment of wildlife into communities.
Mansur Chebet, LCIII Chairperson of Chepsukunya Town Council, said agriculture remains the main livelihood source for residents and warned that continued crop destruction could worsen food insecurity and poverty.
He called for coordinated efforts between wildlife officials and local leaders to address the challenge before communities take retaliatory action.However, wildlife authorities say they are yet to receive formal reports from affected areas but have promised to investigate and respond.
Samuel Amanya, Chief Warden of Mt. Elgon National Park, said response teams will be deployed to assess the situation and guide the animals back into the protected area.He urged residents near wildlife reserves to remain calm and continue reporting incidents through proper channels.
“We are unaware of the challenge of stray buffalos in some parts bordering Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, but our teams will engage with communities and work on measures to drive the animals back to the protected area,” Amanya said.
SOURCE: URN
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