Residents worried as stray elephant kills man in Tigania, Meru County

Kibuline Assistant Chief Japhet Rukunga (2nd left) and some residents at the scene where a stray elephant killed a man on Tuesdays evening July 21, 2015. The residents called on KWS to act on the elephant menace. PHOTO | DAVID MUCHUI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Kibuline Assistant Chief Japhet Rukunga said the elephant had strayed from a herd that has been roaming the area.
  • Residents have called on the KWS to increase patrols in the area to control the marauding elephants.
  • The elephants have been straying from the Mbeu Forest enticed by expansive cowpea farms in the area.
  • The residents are now threatening to protect themselves against the stray jumbos if no action is taken.

A middle aged man died after he was attacked by a stray elephant in Kamburu Village in Tigania West on Tuesday evening.

Paul Mung’athia, 36 was attacked by the jumbo at around 7pm as he walked home from Kibuline Market.

Kibuline Assistant Chief Japhet Rukunga said the elephant had strayed from a herd that has been roaming the area.

Residents have called on the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to increase patrols in the area to control the marauding elephants

“I received information that a body had been spotted in a shamba in Kamburu Village this morning.

“He was walking on a bushy path where he met with the rogue elephant. It threw him about 20 metres from the path and then trampled on him,” Mr Rukunga said.

He urged residents to remain vigilant as the KWS officers try to drive the jumbos out of the area.

The body of the deceased was removed to the Meru Level Five Hospital mortuary.

RESIDENTS LIVING IN FEAR

Mr Richard Mwingirwa, a resident, said the elephants have been straying from the Mbeu Forest enticed by expansive cowpea farms in the area.

“We are living in fear because you can meet with the stray elephants in the bushes anytime.

“Many farms have been invaded by the elephants where they have eaten up cowpeas that are ready for harvest,” Mr Mwingirwa said.

The residents are now threatening to protect themselves against the stray jumbos if no action is taken.

“We will not let the elephants kill and destroy our only source of livelihood.

“We are urging KWS to move with speed before we take action ourselves,” Ms Margaret Marieta said.