Lake Victoria Farmers Spend Nights in Fields as Hippo Raids Intensify

Farmers in Arujo Ward along the shores of Lake Victoria are counting heavy losses after repeated invasions of their farms by hippos, forcing many to abandon normal sleep routines and spend nights camped in their fields. The affected growers, mostly from Kanyabala village, say their newly planted maize may never mature if the attacks continue.

The crisis has turned daily life upside down for smallholders who depend entirely on crop production for income. One of them, Mr. Delafiled Odoyo, said he now sleeps during the day and stays active at night, keeping vigil over his farm to chase away the giant herbivores before they can feed on his young maize plants.

Repeated attacks despite barriers

Another farmer, Maxwell Otoyi, said his farm has been invaded at least seven times. He noted that hippos tend to avoid fields where humans are visibly present, which is why night guarding has become the only reliable defence.

“My farm has been invaded at least seven times. The destruction usually happens when no one guards the farm,” Mr. Otoyi said.

Some farmers have tried installing barbed wires along the routes hippos use to access their farms. But the animals, known for their size and strength, still find ways through or around the barriers. Residents say the damage is often extensive, with entire sections of maize flattened or eaten in a single night.

Farmers demand KWS action

Growers have urged the Kenya Wildlife Service to intervene more decisively. Henry Owino, a local farmer, pointed out that maize production is expensive, requiring fertilizer and certified seeds, and that repeated destruction makes it impossible to recover costs.

The farmers also complained that KWS has been slow to respond when they report sightings. One resident alleged that calls to the wildlife authority have never resulted in meaningful help.

When contacted, Homa Bay County KWS Warden Jackson Kibor acknowledged the rising cases in both Rachuonyo North and Homa Bay Sub-counties. He described the current period as peak season for human-wildlife conflict, adding that his office is working with farmers to reduce invasions.

Safety concerns for night guards

The warden advised farmers to call his office immediately whenever they spot hippos. He also urged those guarding their crops to exercise caution and to position themselves on high ground rather than walking directly into the animals’ path.

Hippos are considered among the most dangerous large mammals in Africa, responsible for more human fatalities on the continent than many other wildlife species. They are known to leave water at dusk to graze, often travelling considerable distances inland before returning to lakes or rivers at dawn.

For now, farmers in Kanyabala village say they have little choice but to continue their overnight stakes, hoping for a harvest that will repay their investment. Without a more permanent solution from KWS, they fear the conflict will only worsen as water levels fluctuate and natural grazing areas shrink.