Residents of Kauka-Silale village in Nyahururu, Laikipia county have been thrown into mourning following the death of a 54-year-old man allegedly killed by an elephant. Laikipia woman Mary Elele recalls last moments before husband was killed by elephant. Photo: CitizenTV/Wildlife Vagabond. Source: Youtube The deceased man, identified as Josphat Oruko, was attacked at his homestead around 10pm by the elephant. His lifeless body was discovered shortly after the incident, igniting widespread outrage in the community. How Laikipia man was killed by elephant Mary Elele, the wife of the deceased, tearfully narrated what transpired before the elephant killed her husband.
She noted that Oruko stepped out of their house to check what had happened after something hit the building. Upon stepping out, Elele revealed that her husband saw the elephant, which immediately attacked him. “We heard something hitting the house and thought it was a thief. When my husband went out, he saw the elephant, and it immediately caught and threw him onto the road, where it killed him,” she said. Nyahururu residents’ demands after elephant attack The locals took to the streets, demanding the government erect an electric fence around the South Marmanet forest. According to the locals, the elephant strayed from the forest and attacked the elderly man, mauling him to death. Margaret Githuthwa, one of the residents, stated that they have raised concerns but have not been heard.
“We have been complaining for years now, asking the government to take the jumbos away or fence the area, but nothing has been done,” she said.Another resident called on the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife to take charge of the situation to avoid such tragedy in the village. “We want justice served; these elephants come to our doors, jeopardising our safety. We want the ministry in charge to tell us where they expect us to live,” she said. They further called on officers from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to take action and fast-track the process of erecting the electric fence on the remaining 26 kilometres surrounding the forest.
by Lynn-Linzer Kibebe
