Ganze residents plead for KWS intervention as over 300 elephants wreak havoc

Kavunzoni residents in Ganze, Kilifi County now want the Kenya Wildlife Service to drive out a herd of over 300 elephants marauding in the area.

According to the locals the elephants have not only wreaked havoc in their farms but also caused food and water scarcity.

Led by Kavunzoni Village Elder Gabriel Mtawali, the villagers lamented that the elephants are now a nuisance.

‘We have over 300 elephants that have invaded our area. The herd of elephants has not only caused food scarcity but also lack of water,’’ he noted.

Also Read: Prepare for a national teachers strike-KNUT warns

He further pointed out that only three wildlife officials are manning the area which he said is not enough.

Gabriel urged well-wishers to rescue the locals, saying they might as well face starvation should they not get food aid.

‘’The elephants are over three hundred and only at most 3 wildlife officials are manning the area. This is Inadequate,’’ noted the elder.

Katana Masha, a Kakuluni village resident said water sources have been polluted by the elephants posing a health risk.

He called on a multifaceted approach to addressing the challenge.

‘’The county government should work with the area leadership including our ward representative and lawmaker Tungule to address the challenge,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, Kache Chengo, a local, called on well-wishers to come to their aid.

She said most of the villagers lack water and food.

“I’m pleading to well-wishers to come to our rescue. We have totally nothing to eat, no food, no water,’’ she said.

Kache said they have nothing to rely on after the elephant invades their farms.

At the same time, Dama Kazungu, another local from the area, pleaded with the government to drive out the elephants saying it has curtailed their freedom of movement

‘’We cannot move freely. The elephants are everywhere we have no food as we speak,’’ she noted

Another resident, Shikari Chengo further pointed out that the elephants have invaded their farms and cannot go about their daily activities.

“We cannot even go about our daily business. Business is no longer usual,’’ Shikari lamented.

Salama Chengo lamented that women cannot fend for their kids including school fees, ‘’We cannot look for school fees for our kids,’’