Laikipia residents protest destruction of crops by elephants

Residents of Laikipia’s Gatundia and Muhotetu areas now want the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) to compensate them after elephants from the neighbouring Rumuruti forest strayed into their farms destroying crops.

The residents blocked the Nyahururu – Rumuruti road paralyzing transport services for the better part of the day.

The farmers have also accused the County Government of Laikipia of laxity and delayed completion of an electric fence to safeguard them from the animals that regularly invade their farms.

Through their spokesman Munyiri Mutitu, the protesters said that they have suffered losses accumulating to millions of shillings through damage to crops and property by the wildlife.

“The fence was being erected around Rumuruti forest where the elephants stray from but nothing has been donme yet. We need an explanation as to why it is not yet ready,” said Mutitu

Rumuruti station Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Game Warden Peter Sombe Samaja said plans were underway for the erection of the electric fence.