76-year-old man trampled to death by elephants in Laikipia

A 76-year-old man from Sirare village in Laikipia West Constituency was on Thursday morning trampled to death by marauding elephants from the neighbouring South Marmanet forest.

Mzee Githua Waeru Kamoche, was among several other men who had come out of the homes to drive away the jumbos that had invaded their farms early in the morning, but the beasts turned on them.

Mzee Waweru came face-to-face with one of the elephants that trampled him to death.

The incidents forced residents to stage a peaceful demonstration, protesting Waweru and frequent invasion of their farms by marauding elephants from the neighbouring South Mamarnet Forest.

They blocked the Nyahururu-Rumuruti roads for several hours protesting the killing of the man, before security officers dispersed them.

The elephants strayed to the farm in search of pasture as the prevailing drought continues to hit hard.

Joseph Lobenyo and Geoffrey Kamiru, both village elders from Sirare area protested over the increased invasion by wild animals claiming it has led to destruction of crops.

They regretted that the effort to seek help from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to contain the animals in their habitat has been futile.

Their sentiments were echoed by a section of residents who claimed that despite calls when such invasions occur, Game Wardens take too long to respond to their distress calls.

Residents now want the government to move with speed and ensure their safety and also ensure that wild animals remain in their habitat.

However, Nyandarua KWS Senior Game Warden Gabriel Kiio, who visited the scene regretted the death of the elderly man, terming it as unfortunate.

He said KWS would cooperate with the family to ensure they also get justice and called on members of the public to remain calm as they take up the matter.

He at the same time challenged them to take caution when they come across the wild animals as it could pose a serious danger especially early in the morning and late in the evening.

He added that the department has about 102 compensation claims amounting to Ksh. 32.8 million for victims affected by the human-wildlife conflict in Nyandarua and parts of Laikipia County, calling on claimants to avail themselves to collect their compensations from the local KWS office.