Tragedy struck a family in Leheley, Wajir County, when a baboon attacked and killed a 25-day-old infant. The shocking incident occurred on Monday after the child’s mother left her baby sleeping in a makeshift Somali house while she went to fetch water nearby. Upon returning, she saw a baboon fleeing from the structure. Horrified, she rushed inside only to find her baby mauled to death.
Authorities, including police officers and officials from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), were alerted and visited the scene to begin investigations. The child’s remains were later buried in accordance with local cultural practices. The grieving family was advised to seek compensation as the probe into the incident continues.
Such attacks are not uncommon in parts of northern Kenya, where human-wildlife conflict remains a growing challenge. Residents in affected areas often report that wild animals, especially baboons and monkeys, come into villages in search of food and water, leading to dangerous encounters. Locals claim that the situation worsens during dry spells when resources become scarce, forcing animals to encroach on human settlements.
This heartbreaking event adds to the rising number of wildlife-related tragedies in Kenya despite ongoing efforts to curb such incidents. In May 2025, the government launched the third phase of its Human–Wildlife Conflict Compensation Programme. The initiative aims to support families affected by wildlife attacks while promoting coexistence between humans and animals.
During the launch, the government introduced the Wildlife Conservation Card — a unique initiative designed to fund conservation efforts and reduce conflicts. The card, developed in partnership with KCB Bank, comes in three tiers: Platinum (Elephant), Gold (Lion), and Silver (Cheetah). Each transaction made using the card contributes a portion of funds to the Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund, which supports fencing projects, conservation education, and community-based tourism.
Through such programmes, Kenya hopes to shift the focus from reactive compensation to proactive prevention. The long-term goal is to ensure safer interactions between humans and wildlife while maintaining ecological balance. However, with increasing human encroachment and climate-related stress, the frequency of such tragic incidents underscores the urgent need for stronger community protection measures and sustainable wildlife management strategies.
