KWS Raid Private Property After Crocodiles Spotted Near Homes

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) revealed on Friday, December 29 that it conducted a successful raid on private property in Malindi, Kilifi County after residents raised concerns about crocodiles roaming freely near residential areas.

The matter was raised by Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai who shared a video on X (formerly Twitter) showing one crocodile basking in broad daylight along a dirt road.

The lawmaker raised concern that it was posing a threat to the lives of the locals and further claimed that the reptile was among crocodiles being reared by a British national.

Hello @KWSKenya

There is a British national (Mark) who is breeding Crocodile in the Casuarina area of Malindi.

These Crocodiles roam the neighbourhood and are a menace to locals.

Kindly intervene and stop before someone is mauled. pic.twitter.com/Wn1KLpx45r — Robert ALAI, HSC (@RobertAlai) December 24, 2023

"These Crocodiles roam the neighbourhood and are a menace to locals. Kindly intervene and stop before someone is mauled," Alai wrote in a video that attracted more than 50,600 views by the time of publication.

In response, KWS mounted an operation on the property and recovered 24 crocodiles as well as seven tortoises.

Some were relocated to Mamba Village in Mombasa while others were transported to Nairobi.

"Kenya Wildlife Service successfully relocated 24 crocodiles and 7 tortoises from the Malindi Crocodile Farm to Mamba village.

"Among them, 4 crocodiles, 1 Aldabra tortoise, and 6 leopard tortoises will be settled in their new home at the KWS Nairobi Animal Orphanage," KWS stated in part.

The wildlife service further encouraged all citizens to report wildlife cases through its toll-free number 0800 597 000, WhatsApp (0726 610 509), or email [email protected] for immediate intervention.

"Your vigilance and support play a crucial role in preserving our national heritage," added KWS.

In September, the government set aside Ksh1.1 billion this year to compensate victims of human-wildlife conflict, according to Tourism and Wildlife (now at  Ministry of EAC, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands and Regional Development) Cabinet Secretary (CS) Peninah Malonza has said.

According to Malonza, the money would go towards clearing the backlog of claims totalling 2,600, even as she announced that the Tourism ministry was working on a strategy for ensuring timely compensation going forward.

The CS said the Ministry had also disbursed Ksh900 million to claimants who had waited for the last 14 years to be compensated.

Cases of wildlife-human conflicts have been on the rise, increasing the compensation burden on the state.

Experts link the trouble to humans encroaching on animals’ territories, leading to frequent attacks and the loss of properties and lives.

Crocodiles captured at Malindi, Kilifi County by KWS officers on December 29, 2023. /KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICE