A family in Leheley village, Wajir County, is mourning the death of a 25-day-old baby girl after she was killed by a baboon that invaded their makeshift house on Monday morning.
According to police, the baby’s mother had left her daughter asleep in a temporary Somali hut while she went to fetch water nearby. On returning, she reportedly saw a baboon running out of the house, only to find her infant dead after being mauled.
Police officers and officials from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) visited the scene and launched investigations into the incident.
“The baby’s remains were later buried according to local Somali customs,” said a police report. “The family has been advised to seek compensation from the wildlife authorities.”
Authorities noted that such wildlife attacks are not uncommon in the area, where residents often face increasing conflict with wild animals over dwindling water sources and habitat destruction caused by prolonged drought.
Locals have urged KWS to step up patrols in affected villages and put in place protective measures to prevent further tragedies.
