Kericho: Panic as elephant strays into homes, destroying crops

Residents of Chepsir in Kericho county, have expressed concern following the recent destruction of maize farms in the area by a marauding elephant that has been roaming the village.

The elephant was first sighted on Tuesday evening and is suspected to have ventured out from the nearby Mau forest in search of food within the village.

According to the residents, the presence of this elephant has not only jeopardised their livelihoods, but has also put their lives at risk.

The residents told Wananchi Reporting that they are now afraid to venture into the nearby forest to graze their livestock, collect firewood and herbal medicine.

According to Bosco Korir, one of the affected farmers, some individuals have already suffered significant losses due to the destruction of their maize crops.

“Some of us already have incurred losses after our maize crops were destroyed, and this is a direct threat to food security in this area," said Bosco Korir.

Adding to their concerns, some residents have reported delays in the response time by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers whenever they are alerted about the presence of wild animals.

The locals are now appealing to the authorities to take the necessary action so as to prevent the escalation of human-wildlife conflicts.

Fortunately, no injuries have been reported so far. Nonetheless, the residents are urging the Kenya Wildlife Service to prioritise the timely resolution of such incidents to ensure the safety of both humans and wildlife in the area.