Shock in Siaya as Man Storms Police Station with Dead Python, Seeks Compensation

A resident of Luoka village in Ugunja, Siaya County, has appealed to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) for action after a python attacked and killed one of his dogs.

The dog’s owner, Charles Otieno, said the incident occurred while he was carrying out household chores at his home. He was alerted by noise from his poultry area and went to investigate, where he found a python chasing one of his dogs. He attempted to intervene using a machete, but the snake fatally injured the animal.

Otieno said the loss was significant because his dogs played a key role in protecting his maize farm from monkeys, which frequently damage crops in the area. He explained that without the dogs, it would be more difficult to prevent further destruction of his harvest.

Residents of the village say the python had been a persistent threat, having previously killed chickens, goats and sheep. Otieno said the repeated attacks had caused anxiety among households that depend on farming and livestock for their livelihoods.

“This python has caused serious distress in our village,” Otieno said. “It is affecting the whole community. Monkeys destroy our crops, and now the dogs that help us chase them away are being killed.”

Following the incident, Otieno took the carcasses of both the dog and the python to Sigomere Police Station, seeking compensation and intervention from KWS. Police officers initially declined to handle the matter, stating that wildlife issues fall under the mandate of KWS. After other residents intervened, he was allowed to present his complaint, though no formal statement was recorded.

KWS officers from Siaya later collected the carcasses from the police station and advised Otieno to follow up at their offices. He said he was left dissatisfied by the response, noting that he received no clear guidance on compensation or steps to prevent further incidents.

The case reflects ongoing human–wildlife conflict in parts of rural Kenya, where communities living close to wildlife habitats face repeated losses of crops and domestic animals. Residents say these encounters continue to undermine farming activities despite government efforts to promote agriculture as a reliable source of income.

Villagers in Luoka say they need timely intervention to protect their livelihoods, warning that continued wildlife incursions could make farming increasingly unsustainable in the area.