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Residents of Perekeiywet at the border of Nakuru and Narok counties have fled their homes as tens of elephants have invaded the area in the past week.
Protesting residents said they have lost property worth hundreds of thousands of shillings from invasions. “We have lost maize and potato crops to elephants that have invaded our homes and displaced us,” said William Samoei on Friday.
They have faulted KWS for ignoring persistent requests to control the animals. “We are suffering with no help and if they don’t come, we will kill the elephants,” Lina Kewogen said.
Jane Koech said women unable to fetch firewood and water in the nearby river due to the wandering elephants.
Leonard Yegon said men have been forced to patrol the region at night to protect their families. Two years ago, two men were killed by elephants in the region.
But KWS officer in charge Nakuru Nancy Akinyi told the Star on phone that the elephants have been there for long and are not harmful.
“Locals should not fear the elephants that have been living there for long. They are not disastrous,” she said.
Nakuru governor running mate Erick Korir asked KWS to take the outcry seriously.