- MCA said if the issue is not arrested soon it will lead to food insecurity in the region due to the destruction of crops.
- They now want KWS to intervene, failure to which, they will take matters into their own hands.
Image: FILE
Ndavaya residents in Kwale county have appealed to Kenya Wildlife Services to control the roaming elephants causing massive destruction in the area.
According to MCA Juma Masudi Ngando, it is now two months since the stray elephants invaded the villages.
The ward rep said several people have been hurt by the elephants that are attacking homesteads and farms.
"As we speak, there are people who are still recuperating at Kinango hospital after sustaining serious injuries following elephant attacks," he said.
He said the elephants have also wreaked havoc on farms.
“Currently, over 20 local farmers have reported losses due to the invasions,” he said.
Ngando said if the issue is not arrested soon it will lead to food insecurity in the region due to the destruction of crops.
"The animals feed on every crop they come across," he said.
Salim Beja, a resident, said his crops were destroyed by the elephants, believed to be from the Shimba Hills National Park.
The wildlife have been seen roaming every day and night within the locality.
“Two days ago, I was almost hurt after I came face to face with an elephant that charged towards me,” Beja said.
"We are worried because the animals keep attacking us."
Fatuma Mwadzine, another resident said their children are forced to report to school late and sometimes skip classes due to fear of elephants’ attacks.
Mwadzine said herders are also afraid to take livestock for grazing and those who manage to do so always put their lives in danger.
She said in the past two months they have been 'living in hell' as they cannot provide food for their families.
Mwadzine said they are forced to sleep early and wake up late because of the wild animals invasion.
She said the sudden change in their lifestyle has made them less productive and a lot of time is wasted in hiding.
The residents said efforts to get assistance from authorities have proven futile.
They now want KWS to intervene, failure to which, they will take matters into their own hands.
"We want the KWS officers to contain their animals because if not, we will do it ourselves," Mwadzine said.
Last week Msambweni residents also called on KWS to hunt down a stray lion that was killing cattle in the area.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)