Nyahururu Locals Protest as Rogue Elephant Attacks, Kills Man in His Home: "Tumeskia Uchungu Mwingi"
Nyahururu Locals Protest as Rogue Elephant Attacks, Kills Man in His Home:
"Tumeskia Uchungu Mwingi"
Nancy Odindo, Tuko
January 14, 2025
See link
https://www.tuko.co.ke/kenya/counties/575263-nyahururu-locals-protest-rogue-elephant-attacks-kills-man-home-tumeskia-uchungu-mwingi/
for video.
Residents of Kauka village, located along the Nyahururu-Rumuruti Road, have
taken to the streets to protest following the tragic death of a 65-year-old
man who was attacked and killed by a rogue elephant.
The victim, identified as Josphat Oruko, was attacked at his homestead
around 10pm by the elephant, reportedly from Marmanet Forest. Neighbours
discovered his lifeless body shortly after the incident, prompting
widespread outrage in the community.
Cecilia Kuria, a neighbour, expressed her shock, stating: “We found Oruko’s
body at his home after the elephant attacked. This wasn’t his fault; the
elephant came to his house. We need action to prevent such tragedies.” How
did Nyahururu residents respond after elephant attack? The incident has
reignited calls to fence off Marmanet Forest to keep wildlife away from
human settlements. One resident appealed directly to Cabinet Secretary
Rebecca Miano. “CS Miano, my sister, please help us. Fence the forest so
that elephants stay on their side, and people can live safely.
Oruko didn’t provoke the elephant; it came to his home,” a woman painfully
pleaded. Another resident recounted the prolonged ordeal with the rogue
elephant. “This elephant has terrorised us for about six months. It is
aggressive and doesn’t respond to deterrents. They usually move in pairs,
with the smaller one acting as a guard,” he claimed. Residents expressed
frustration with repeated attacks that have claimed lives, injured others,
and destroyed property.
“We’ve been pleading with the government for a long time. We’ve lost many
people, and now this man was dragged from his house. We are angry and
demand that the rogue elephant be removed from our community,” another
resident lamented. The tragic event led locals to block the busy
Nyahururu-Rumuruti Road, demanding urgent intervention from the Kenya
Wildlife Service (KWS) and Kenya Forest Service (KFS).
They vowed to continue protests until authorities address the recurring
wildlife conflict and implement measures to protect residents from further
harm.
Siaya home guard reportedly killed by employer's dogs
In other news, a 27-year-old man, Stephen Lilungo, from Kakamega, employed
as a home guard in the Usigu sub-location, Siaya county, met a horrific
death after reportedly being attacked and devoured by his employer’s dogs.
The incident came to light when the employer, unable to reach the victim
Lilungo via phone, sent a neighbour to check on him. Upon investigation,
police officers found only the victim’s skeleton at the scene.
The police summoned the employer, a veterinary officer based in Eldoret, to
record a statement regarding the tragic incident as investigations
progress.