By Betty Luke
A 47-year-old man from Kiirua in Meru County is in critical condition after he was attacked by an elephant on Wednesday morning at his home in Nkando village.
Mr Jeremy Kanake, who is currently admitted at Isiolo Referral Hospital, was coming out of his house around 6:00 am after he heard screams from neighbours only to meet the stray animal.
Residents who rescued him said the elephant with a calf was being chased away after it was spotted wreaking havoc on a neighbour’s farm.
They said two people had been killed in the recent past and acres of crops destroyed.
“It is not the first time we are being attacked by elephants, two people including a child have been killed by animals,” said Mr Joseph Muriuki.
His sentiments were echoed by Ms Caroline Kanyua, the victim’s cousin, who added that their crops were on several occasions destroyed before maturity leaving them counting losses.
“Our yields have reduced because the jumbos attack occasionally and destroy the crops before they reach maturity,” said Ms Kanyua.
Mr Erick Mutwiri, resident, said despite several attempts to have KWS officers intervene and contain the animals in the parks, the officers were yet to respond.
“They keep telling us the place is a forest while there are several people living there. Should we vacate and leave the animals?” he posed.
The locals want the government to take action saying they might be forced to kill the animals to avert further destruction.
“Let them come for their animals or we take action because we cannot continue losing lives anymore,” said Mr Muriuki.
