Residents of Kamathitu Village in Muumoni Ward, Mwingi North Constituency, Kitui County, are living in fear after a middle-aged woman was seriously injured in an elephant attack on Tuesday morning.
The woman was reportedly trampled by a stray elephant after a herd of the wild animals invaded the village during the night in search of pasture, according to local residents.
The incident has renewed concerns over human-wildlife conflict in the area, with residents calling on the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to urgently intervene and drive the elephants away before another person is injured or killed.
According to locals, the herd crossed into the village from nearby wildlife habitat, raising fears that the animals could remain in the area and endanger residents, children and livestock.
Residents are now appealing to wildlife authorities to deploy a response team to assess the situation, track the elephants and guide them safely back into their habitat.
The latest incident adds to longstanding concerns over elephant incursions in parts of Kitui County, where communities have previously reported attacks on people and destruction of crops by roaming wildlife.
Photo: Internet Sourcing
Kora National Park, located in the wider eastern Kenya conservation landscape, has been linked to elephant movements through the Mwingi region. Wildlife management documents identify migration routes connecting Kora with areas around Ukasi and South Kitui, highlighting the importance of wildlife corridors in managing human-elephant encounters.
However, the precise origin of the herd involved in Tuesday’s incident has not been independently established.
Residents want KWS to take urgent action to protect the community while ensuring the animals are handled safely. They are also calling for lasting measures to prevent repeated incursions into homes and farms.
The incident highlights the continuing challenge of balancing wildlife conservation with the safety and livelihoods of communities living near elephant movement routes.
Channel 15 News will continue following the situation as more details emerge.
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