The Indian house crow, classified as a pest under Kenya’s Wildlife Act, has rapidly become a significant threat to the country’s ecosystems, agriculture, and tourism. Originally introduced to East Africa in the 1890s to help manage waste, these invasive birds have proliferated, with their population now estimated at 700,000 in Kenya. The crows are particularly concentrated in coastal regions, where their impact is being keenly felt.

Impact on Agriculture Farmers like Julius Charo are facing severe challenges as the crows compete with livestock for feed and even target smaller animals. “I always bring enough food for the animals, including chickens and other livestock. However, when the crows start competing for the feed, it is no longer enough. This forced me to sell some of my pigs, leaving only two to manage,” Charo explains. The crows’ growing population threatens the livelihood of farmers who are already struggling with other agricultural challenges.
Threat to Tourism The tourism sector, especially along Kenya’s coastline, is also grappling with the crow invasion. In popular tourist destinations like Watamu, hotels are battling the birds, which are notorious for stealing food directly from guests’ plates, sometimes even from children’s hands. “The Indian house crow has become such a nuisance in the hotel. They are stealing food off the plates of guests, sometimes from children’s hands,” says Geoff Bell, owner of Ocean Sports Resort. These disruptions not only tarnish the experience for tourists but also pose potential safety risks, especially for young children.
Health and Ecological Risks Beyond being a nuisance, the Indian house crow poses serious health risks. Carrying diseases such as the West Nile virus and Newcastle disease, the birds can spread infections to both humans and animals. Eric Kinoti, coordinator of the Crows No More program at A Rocha Kenya, emphasizes that these crows transmit up to eight diseases, increasing public health concerns. The crows also threaten Kenya’s biodiversity by outcompeting native bird species, leading to a decline in indigenous birds, which harms birdwatching tourism, a significant source of income in some regions.
Efforts to Control the Population Efforts to control the crows’ population have faced numerous challenges. A recent initiative using starlicide poison has shown promise in reducing the numbers of the birds. The program, which began in coastal areas like Kilifi, Malindi, and Watamu, has culled over 5,500 crows. Starlicide is a poison that has been proven effective in other countries such as Djibouti and Eritrea. It is designed to break down within 10 to 12 hours of ingestion, ensuring that any poisoned carcasses pose no risk to scavengers or the environment. “By the time the bird dies, the poison is out of the body, so there is no risk of secondary poisoning,” says Kinoti.
The Need for Regional Cooperation Experts argue that a regional approach is necessary to address the crow issue effectively, as the birds can easily migrate across borders. Paul Gacheru from Nature Kenya highlights this concern, saying, “Birds don’t know boundaries, so if you get rid of this species here, others may come from neighboring areas.” This underscores the need for coordination with neighboring countries to address the growing crow population.
However, despite some progress, efforts remain hampered by limited funding and resources. Without continued support and expanded efforts, the Indian house crow will continue to disrupt Kenya’s ecosystems, agriculture, and economy. Experts are calling for more sustainable solutions and regional cooperation to mitigate the damage caused by this invasive species.