Nairobi: Residents raise concern over estate grazing after cow injures child

The child happened to be playing on an open estate road – where a herd of cattle were nibbling at the new grass.

A number of herders in Nairobi have been venturing into the estates in search of new pasture brought about by the current rains.

The new grass is attracting city herders who have endured a lengthy drought. The drought left many livestock malnourished and at the verge of death.

Unfortunately  – the renewed hunt for new grass in the estates is exposing children to danger.

A resident who witnessed the incident told Wananchi Reporting that the child was very lucky.

“I was walking to my house when I saw this cow walking towards the child. I could see that it was about to gore the child who was facing a different direction. I tried to run to save the him, but then it [the cow] aggressively moved its head, and pushed the child to the ground,” said Moses Okal.

“I shouted, and lifted my hands in the air to scare it. It then walked right through the child who was lying on the ground and crying,” he added, noting that another resident rushed and rescued the child.

According to Okal, the boy was lucky that the cow did not step on his limbs, or head, otherwise it would have been a different story.

"The herder could not be traced. It seemed he had left the cows to graze by themselves," said Okal.

Residents are now raising concern over the rising cases of herders driving their animals into the estates in search of grass.

“Let them graze their cattle along the roads and in the open fields out there, but not in the estates where we have people,” said Walter Bosire, a resident of Nyama Villa estate.

The residents fear that some of the livestock could be hostile, and can injure children especially now that the schools are set to close for Christmas holiday. 

“Some of these animals could be carrying diseases, and yet are allowed into the estates where they share playing grounds with our children. This can be dangerous to human health, the health of our children and even us,” said Bosire.

Other estates in Nairobi that have been affected by the menace include Riruta Satellite, Makongeni and Kaloleni. 

Residents want the Nairobi county government to restrict movement of animals in residential areas.