Rogue jumbos kill three people in Makueni

By ONESMUS NZIOKA

Three people, among them a 12-year-old boy were killed by rogue elephants at Muani Location, Kasikeu ward Makueni County.

According to villagers, the jumbos were spotted in the area on Tuesday evening and by Wednesday morning, two people lay dead after they were attacked by the animals at different areas.

According to Kasikeu Ward Representative Paul Malinda, one of the victims is suspected to have teased the animals early Wednesday morning before he was crushed to death.

The second victim was attacked while herding his cattle at a nearby village named Mungyani but died while receiving treatment at Makindu Level Four Hospital.

THIRD VICTIM

The remains of the third victim, 12-year-old, Wambua Mulwa, a Class Six pupil at Chief Kiamba Primary School was discovered Thursday morning after disappearing from his home on Wednesday evening together with a crowd chasing the animals.

Wambua’s mother, Francisca Mumbua said the boy disappeared from home, while she was taking care of his younger siblings.

“The boy left in the company of other villagers chasing the animals, but I was alarmed when by 2am Thursday, he had not returned. I reported the matter to the area chief and a group of youths combed the area in search of him only to find him dead in a nearby forest,” said a tearful Mumbua.

According to James Wandeto, deputy lower eastern regional wildlife director, the elephants are believed to have escaped either from Chyulu or Tsavo National parks.

A junior KWS officer said efforts to chase the Jumbos from the area on Wednesday were partly hampered by large crowds.

Residents turned up to see the animals, forcing KWS rangers to conduct the exercise by night fall.

Human-wildlife conflict

When The Standard visited the area, KWS officers, armed with guns were on the ground trying to chase the animals with the aid of a helicopter. By press time, the officers were still pursuing the animals.

On Monday, Kibwezi East MP Jessica Mbalu, raised the alarm over insecurity posed by elephants that have over the years worsened human-wildlife conflict in the county.

On the same day, another herd of elephants was spotted around Kibwezi but KWS officials say they have since been driven back inside Tsavo National Park.