A leopard killed eight sheep in a nighttime attack in Lala village, Homa Bay County, sparking fresh calls for wildlife control near Ruma National Park.
The sheep, owned by local farmer Apollo Otieno, were found dead early Sunday, their bodies torn and one carcass partly devoured. According to witnesses, the predator targeted Otieno’s livestock pen during the night, leaving behind a bloodied scene.
“This is not the first time. Two weeks ago, one of my guard dogs was taken and eaten,” Otieno said. “Now I’ve lost my entire flock. It’s devastating.”
Initially, villagers believed a hyena was responsible. However, officers from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) who examined the site said the attack was consistent with a leopard kill.
KWS Homa Bay County Warden Officer Jackson Kubor confirmed that the agency has launched an investigation and will deploy a trap to capture the animal.
“We are treating this as an urgent case. The villagers must stay alert while we work to locate and remove the leopard,” Kubor said.
Lala village borders the expansive Ruma National Park, home to various wildlife including leopards. Residents now fear more encounters, citing the park’s growing influence on nearby farmlands and homesteads.
Community members are calling on KWS to step up monitoring and deploy more rangers around the park’s perimeter to prevent further losses.
The Kenya Wildlife Service has not confirmed if the animal involved has moved beyond park boundaries permanently. However, Kubor assured residents that the agency remains committed to protecting both lives and property.
There were no human injuries reported in the incident. KWS says compensation processes will be evaluated in line with wildlife conflict policies.
This incident highlights the ongoing human-wildlife conflict in regions bordering protected areas, as communities and wild animals increasingly compete for space and resources.
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