An old man aged 76 years from Sirare village in Laikipia West Constituency was on today morning trampled to death by marauding elephants from the neighbouring South Marmanet forest.
Githua Kamoche, was one of the men who had come out in the morning to drive away the elephants that had invaded their farms but the elephants turned on them.
Waweru came face-to-face with one of the elephants that trampled him to death.
The incidents forced residents to stage a peaceful demonstration, protesting Waweru and frequent invasion of their farms by marauding elephants from the neighbouring South Mamarnet Forest.
The residents blocked the Nyahururu-Rumuruti highway for long hours protesting the death of Waweru. The police officers dispersed the protesting residents later on.
Due to the severe drought, elephants do not have enough food hence they stray to the neighboring farms to look for pasture.
Village elders from area have protested the increased invasion by wild animals as this has has led to destruction of crops in their farms.
The village elders have sought help from the Kenya Wildlife Service on how to contain the animals to prevent regular invasion to their habitat but that has not yielded any good results. The invasion of wild animals increase each day.
Their sentiments were echoed by a section of residents who claimed that despite calls when such invasions occur, Game Wardens take too long to respond to their distress calls.
Residents now want the government to move with speed and ensure their safety and also ensure that wild animals remain in their habitat.
