Ukwala Monkey Invasion: Devastating Farmers’ Livelihoods

Residents of Ukwala Ward in Ugenya, Siaya County, sounded the alarm over a severe monkey invasion wreaking havoc on their farms and homesteads, threatening the livelihoods of farmers. Local farmers Collins Onyango and Argwings Odero voiced their anguish, stating that the primates are causing widespread destruction of crops thereby threatening both their livelihoods and safety.

As reported by Citizen TV and residents on X, the Ukwala monkey invasion has escalated, with monkeys raiding fields and homes, plunging Ugenya’s farming community into economic distress.

The Ukwala monkey invasion has devastated crops like maize, sorghum, and beans, staples for Ugenya’s 134,354 residents across 322.3 square kilometers. Farmer Amina Adhiambo told Citizen Digital, “Many households have been forced to harvest crops prematurely, particularly maize while still green, to salvage whatever they can before the monkeys’ strike.”

This premature harvesting, driven by the invasion, has slashed yields, with maize fetching Ksh 2,500–3,000 per 90-kg bag, critical for farmers’ incomes in a region where agriculture sustains most of the families.

Residents link the monkey invasion to Kenya’s national tree planting campaign, launched over a decade ago, which increased forest cover but inadvertently created primate havens. Citizen Digital reported. Similar crises have hit other regions.

In Homa Bay’s Lambwe West in 2022, monkeys destroyed maize and bananas, costing farmers millions. In Nyeri’s Mukurweini, a 2022 report noted hunger after monkeys ruined crops, highlighting the Ukwala monkey invasion’s potential to deepen food insecurity.

The economic toll is stark. In Kitui’s Kwa Vonza/Yatta Ward, monkey invasions caused 70% crop losses, and Meru’s Muthara Ward reported similar devastation in 2023, with farmers losing maize and miraa. The invasion threatens Ugenya’s economy, where farming supports school fees and healthcare.

Maurine Atieno told Ramogi FM, “Beyond farms, the primates are also ransacking kitchens and homes,” adding that children face safety risks walking to school, requiring daily escorts due to monkey threats.

The monkey invasion has sparked calls for urgent action. Residents are appealing to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) for intervention. Past KWS efforts, like monkey relocations in Embu in 2020, have faltered, with farmers reporting ongoing invasions. The Siaya County Assembly, focused on 2025/2026 budgets, has not yet responded, leaving farmers frustrated.

X posts amplified the crisis reflecting the community’s desperation. In Kisii and Nyamira, news reports noted monkeys threatening schoolchildren and crops, with residents threatening to kill the primates if KWS doesn’t act. Ukwala farmers face similar risks, with safety and economic stability hanging in the balance.

The Ukwala monkey invasion demands swift county and national action to protect farm’s. Without intervention, this crisis could cripple farmers’ livelihoods, pushing Siaya toward economic hardship in 2025.