By Vicent Emong
KUMI — Authorities in Kumi Municipality have intensified operations against loitering animals within the town center as part of an ongoing campaign aimed at beautifying the municipality, protecting public infrastructure, and preserving green vegetation.
The Deputy Town Clerk of Kumi Municipality, Herald Wejule, issued a strong warning to livestock owners who continue allowing their animals to roam freely in public spaces despite repeated directives from municipal authorities.
“We don’t tolerate animals loitering in town destroying our trees and the green grass,” Wejule said during an interview.
According to municipal officials, several sensitization meetings have previously been held with residents and livestock owners to educate them on the dangers and negative effects associated with free-range animals in urban areas. However, authorities say some residents have continued to ignore the guidelines.
“We have told them several times through meetings to vacate animals out of the central municipality, but all in vain,” Wejule explained.
He revealed that the municipality has now launched active patrol operations targeting stray animals within the town center. The operations are intended to restore order, reduce road accidents caused by wandering livestock, and protect newly planted trees and green spaces from destruction.
“We are currently conducting patrols to impound loitering animals and the charge per each animal ranges from 100,000 to 150,000 shillings though the charge has not yet been approved,” he noted.
Municipal leaders say the exercise is also aimed at encouraging responsible livestock keeping practices among residents living within urban areas.
Authorities insist that residents interested in keeping animals within the municipality must adopt zero-grazing methods instead of allowing livestock to roam freely along roads and public spaces.
“If you want to keep animals in town, it should be under zero grazing, but free range is not allowed here in the municipality settings,” Wejule stressed. “They should take their animals out of the center town to reduce accidents and also secure the green vegetation.”
The Deputy Town Clerk further warned that the municipality would work closely with law enforcement agencies and courts of law to ensure offenders are dealt with firmly once enforcement measures are fully implemented.
“We shall be working hand in hand with court in dealing away with the culprits and even the owners of the animals will also be penalized,” he added.
Residents have been urged to cooperate with municipal authorities by respecting the rules and regulations governing urban management.
Leaders believe that compliance with the municipal bylaws will help transform Kumi Municipality into a cleaner, greener, and more organized urban center.
Wejule concluded by calling upon all residents to support the municipality’s beautification drive and embrace environmental conservation, sanitation, and responsible animal keeping practices.
The crackdown comes at a time when Kumi Municipality is implementing several urban development and beautification projects aimed at improving the appearance, safety, and cleanliness of the rapidly growing municipality.
