Man, 71, killed by elephants in Kilifi

An elderly man was on February 27, 2017 trampled to death in Magarini, Kilifi County. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The victim died while being rushed to nearest hospital - some 70 kilometres away - for treatment.
  • Following the incident, KWS urged urged pastoralists to keep off wildlife conservancies to avoid wildlife attacks and loss of lives.

A 71-year-old man was on Monday trampled to death by a stray elephant in Magarini, Kilifi County.

The victim was on his way to his farm when the jumbo attacked him.

He died while being rushed to the Malindi Sub-County Hospital - some 70 kilometres away - for treatment.

Family members who witnessed the incident said the victim was trampled by two elephants which were grazing at Galana-Kulalu Irrigation Scheme following prolonged drought in the park.

His son, Julius Dadi, said he was at home when the elephants from Galana Conservancy attack his father.

“Two elephants confronted my father and trampled him several times before leaving him for the dead,” he said adding that “we tried to shout so as to scare them but my father was already in critical condition.’’

Mr Dadi said they immediately called the Kenya Wildlife Service officers and Galana Conservancy rangers who helped to rush the victim to Malindi for treatment but he succumbed on the way.

KWS Malindi Senior Warden Jane Gitau confirmed the incident saying the body was taken to the Malindi Sub-County Hospital mortuary.

Ms Gitau urged pastoralists to keep off wildlife conservancies and the Tsavo East National Park to avoid wildlife attacks and loss of lives.