Panic has gripped residents of Angalo village in Homa Bay Town constituency after a herd of hippos invaded their farms at night, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

The hippos, emerging from nearby Lake Victoria under the cover of darkness, stormed the farms in large numbers, consuming and trampling on crops such as maize, sorghum, tomatoes, kales, cabbages, and onions. Multiple attempts by villagers to drive the wild animals away proved futile, with the hippos reportedly turning hostile when provoked.

Simon Ogoma, a local resident, said the situation is threatening their livelihoods. “These hippos are impoverishing us. Farming is our only source of income, and now they’ve destroyed everything,” he said. He appealed to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to urgently intervene by relocating the animals and compensating affected farmers.

Other victims, including Kennedy Ongware, Samuel Nyambok, and Dorcas Atieno, lamented the complete loss of their seasonal crops. “The hippos broke our fences and devoured everything. We have nothing left,” Atieno said, adding that the destruction has placed a heavy burden on families who rely on farming to feed and educate their children.

Ongware described the hippos as “hot-tempered and vicious,” noting that their group behavior makes them difficult to chase off. Residents now take turns guarding their farms overnight, fearing more attacks.

Frustrated by the lack of timely response, the villagers have threatened to stage protests at national government offices in Homa Bay town if action is not taken soon.

In response, Homa Bay KWS officer Jackson Kibor confirmed they had received reports and are working on measures to restrain the animals. However, he urged locals to avoid farming near riparian zones, which are prone to wildlife invasions. “We are engaging the community to find a lasting solution and to minimize further damage,” Kibor said.

For now, Angalo farmers remain on high alert, desperate for a swift resolution.