Three deny killing jumbo for ivory

Kenya Wildlife Service rangers next to an elephant killed by poachers in Samburu on September 24, 2013. FILE PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH |

What you need to know:

  • Resident magistrate Monica Munyendo heard that the three killed the elephant at Sitoka near the Maasai Mara Game Reserve in Trans Mara West, Narok on February 19
  • In Nyeri County, elephants destroyed crops worth more than Sh30,000 on Wednesday at a farm in Njunge sub-location, Mweiga

Three people were on Thursday charged with killing an elephant.

Mr Joseph Ouma, Mr Liaram Mpeliai and Mr Lerumpe Mpeliai denied the charge before a Kilgoris court and were released on a Sh1 million bond each.

Resident magistrate Monica Munyendo heard that the three killed the elephant at Sitoka near the Maasai Mara Game Reserve in Trans Mara West, Narok on February 19. The case will be mentioned today and heard on April 29.

In Nyeri County, elephants destroyed crops worth more than Sh30,000 on Wednesday at a farm in Njunge sub-location, Mweiga.

AWAITING DIRECTIVE

Residents accused the Kenya Wildlife Service of failing to protect them and are demanding compensation.

They expressed fears the jumbos estimated to be about 30 could still be on the loose in the area.

KWS official Aggrey Maumo said 30 elephant had escaped from Mt Kenya forest to Aberdare Park, two weeks ago. However 14 of them have since been driven back to Mt Kenya forest, he said.