The tourism sector, particularly in Watamu, is also suffering. Hotels are battling the birds, which snatch food from guests’ plates, posing safety risks, especially to children. The crows are not only disruptive but also dangerous, carrying diseases such as the West Nile virus and Newcastle disease, which can spread to humans and animals.
The Indian house crow, classified as a pest under Kenya’s Wildlife Act, has become a growing menace across the country, threatening local ecosystems, farmers’ livelihoods, and even tourism.
First introduced to East Africa in the 1890s to control waste, the crows have rapidly multiplied, with their population in Kenya now estimated at 700,000. These invasive birds are wreaking havoc, particularly along the coastal regions. Farmers are among those hardest hit. The crows compete with livestock for feed and even prey on smaller animals.
The tourism sector, particularly in Watamu, is also suffering. Hotels are battling the birds, which snatch food from guests’ plates, posing safety risks, especially to children. The crows are not only disruptive but also dangerous, carrying diseases such as the West Nile virus and Newcastle disease, which can spread to humans and animals.
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“Efforts to control the crows have been inconsistent over the years. A recent program using starlicide poison, proven effective in Djibouti and Eritrea, has culled over 5,500 birds in Kilifi, Malindi, and Watamu.Starlicide is designed to minimize environmental risks, as it metabolizes within 10 to 12 hours of ingestion, leaving the carcass poison-free and safe for scavengers.
