Laikipia residents count losses as elephants wreak havoc on farms, endanger lives

Residents of Kambi Simba, Laikipia county, have raised the alarm over rising cases of elephants invading their fields.

The locals have decried heavy losses caued by the jumbos' destruction, adding that they also fear for their lives.

They faulted the government for not restoring a damaged fence to keep away the animals.

These elephants come from the Rumuruti forest and wreak havoc on residents' fields day and night.

The farmers complained that they have not received compensation from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), despite them filling out compensation claim forms.

Joseph Kori, a local, said, "We don't sleep because of these jumbos and we who work in fields are not getting paid because our employers say they have made losses after the elephant invasion."

William Kipsos, another resident, said, "This has been a perennial issue and we are tired of counting losses. We need the government to construct a proper fence to keep the jumbos away."