A middle-aged man from Kyandoo village in the Kamowongo division of Kyuso sub-county, Kitui County, is fighting for his life at Mwingi Level IV Hospital after he was hit by a stray elephant.
Peter Muthusi Kimala had attempted to scare off two elephants that had strayed from Kora National Park when one of the wild animals took on him.
The incident happened on Thursday evening around 5 pm.
Kamuwongo Chief Jane Mwende confirmed the incident and said the elephant hit the victim using its trunk and threw him several meters away leaving him with injuries on his right leg and abdomen.
"He could not stand on his own. We had to use a police vehicle to rush him to the hospital. His right leg appeared severely injured," she said.
By the time of going to press, KWS officers had not arrived to direct the two elephants back to their habitat.
The incident has left area residents in panic mode with many fearing for their lives and properties.
“People are afraid that the two elephants might turn wild and attack them. There are also fears that the animals may invade peoples' farms and cause destruction," Chief Mwende added.
Kyuso Deputy County Commissioner Reuben Kimosop confirmed that the elephants came from Kora National Park and appealed to residents to maintain calm.
“I am aware of their presence in the Kamuwongo area. We are asking members of the public to keep off and not to provoke them in any way as they are likely to turn wild once provoked. Efforts are being made to drive them out of the area," he said.
In May 2019, an elephant strayed into the neighbouring Itivanzou village and invaded farms and destroyed crops. KWS officers managed to take it back to Kora National Park.
In 2016 a tragedy hit Kyuso location when a boy was killed by a stray elephant. He was about to sit for his KCPE exam at Gai Primary School when he met his untimely death.
-Edited by Bosco Marita
