Marakwet: A livestock farmer is facing significant losses amounting to thousands of shillings after a suspected leopard infiltrated her pen, resulting in the deaths of 37 goats and 26 sheep.

Hellen Mutwol, the affected farmer, expressed distress, stating that her animals were her primary source of livelihood.

“It’s a devastating loss for me. All my animals were killed by the wild predator that attacked them in the early hours of the morning,” she lamented.

Samuel Cheserek, the chief of Murkutwo Location, reported that following the unfortunate incident, police, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers, and veterinary officers visited the scene.

“The community members are concerned as the animal remains at large. Its current whereabouts are unknown,” he said.

Two other families also reported livestock losses attributed to the same predator.

The affected individuals were assisted in filling compensation forms. It is suspected that a leopard may be roaming the area.

Efforts to address the situation include the processing of the scene and the laying of traps by KWS for the purpose of relocating the wild animal.