A section of Kilifi County leaders has threatened to mobilise residents of Bamba to kill elephants, citing what they say is a failure to address the growing human-wildlife conflict in the area.
Led by Senate Minority Leader and Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo, the leaders said elephants have caused the deaths of several residents and inflicted extensive damage to crops and property, while they claim little action has been taken to protect affected communities.
Madzayo said the continued invasion of farms and settlements by elephants had left residents living in fear and facing significant economic losses. He spoke in Ndatani village, Kaya Fungo ward, in Kaloleni constituency.
He argued that the welfare and safety of local communities should be prioritised, adding that it was unacceptable for residents to continue suffering repeated incidents while waiting for a lasting solution.
“If these government people cannot protect their elephants, I will come and tell you to take your spears and kill them,” Madzayo said.
The senator said the elephant menace has persisted for years, with farmers losing crops season after season, leaving many families struggling to survive.
According to him, the destruction of farms has undermined livelihoods in the predominantly agricultural area, forcing many residents to rely on relief food.
He questioned why authorities had failed to prevent elephants from straying into farms and residential areas despite the recurring losses and risks posed to local communities.
“We will not accept it and we will not fear anyone. Let us respect each other. One day I will come and tell you to take your spears and monitor the elephants, and if they invade this area, we kill them,” he said.
Madzayo further said he would be prepared to defend residents in court should they face legal action for killing elephants while protecting their lives and property.
Former Bamba MCA Daniel Mangi said residents had hoped for a lasting solution following President William Ruto’s visit to the area, during which he directed the deregistration of the Shirango Conservancy.
Mangi thanked Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro and Youth Affairs and Creative Economy PS Fikirini Jacobs for their role in facilitating the President’s visit and highlighting the plight of residents affected by human-wildlife conflict.
However, he said the situation had worsened since then, with elephants continuing to roam across villages and farms, causing destruction and threatening livelihoods.
“The number of elephants invading the area has increased, and urgent action is needed to restore sanity and protect residents,” he said.
Former Kaya Fungo MCA Alphonce Mwayaa also condemned the continued invasion of elephants into settlements and farms, saying residents have endured losses for too long.
He urged the relevant government agencies and wildlife authorities to implement effective measures to prevent further destruction of crops, property and loss of life.
The leaders called on the national government and the Kenya Wildlife Service to move with speed in addressing the crisis, warning that frustration among residents was growing as communities continued to bear the burden of the escalating human-wildlife conflict.
