Fear as jumbos, buffalo and lion roam villages in Ganze

Human-wildlife conflict is escalating in Ganze after a buffalo and a lion were spotted in Ndigiria, Sokoke ward.

A herd of elephants have also invaded the area, destroying over 300 acres of maize.

Chengo Chile said their livelihoods and lives are hanging on the balance with the presence of the wild animals.

“Already we are counting loses from the destroyed maize crops that runs to hundreds of acres. This is a direct threat to food security. Recently, a buffalo and a lion came to this area. We are now afraid to go to the forest to graze our livestock as well as engaging in other activities in the forest. The government should end this laxity,” Chile said.

Chile said Kenya Wildlife Service officers have resorted to harassing charcoal dealers instead of driving away the wild animals.

“KWS officers take time to come when you report to them of the presence of the animals and when they come they just go round and start harassing people transporting charcoal. If they find a charcoal kiln in the forest they destroy it but they will not drive the animals away,” he said.

Last week an elephant was found dead in Midoina.

It is believed the jumbo died after a fight with another. KWS officers picked up the tusks while the residents took the meat.

Ndigiria Mapotea assistant chief James Randu confirmed receiving information about the presence of a lion in the area.

Speaking in Ndigiria, Randu said the presence of the wild animals in the area has sparked fear among residents and has affected learning in schools around.

“Last year, people in this area were eating grass for lack of food. When the rains started they went to their farms and put their energy there. Most of them have abandoned charcoal burning and are concentrating on farming but the wild animals are eating everything. The lion is posing a great danger to people and livestock,” he said.

Riziki Katana said she has to take her grandchildren to school every morning and pick them up in the afternoon due to the fear of wild animals.

Katana said already her crops have been eaten by elephants.

“We have been neglected by the government. If the government is concerned about us it would have driven these animals back to the park. If my grandchildren die of hunger, the government should take responsibility. I took the initiative to grow food but the animals have eaten everything,” she said

The areas in Ganze that are now grazing field for elephants are Midoina, Migujini, Rima ra Pera, Mnago wa Dola, Mrima wa Ndege, Dodosa, Goshi and Kavunzoni.

Three years ago four people were mauled by a leopard in Jila. Two years ago a woman was killed by an elephant in Ndatani. A man was killed by an elephant last year in Goshi.

Last week, Kenya Wildlife Service senior assistant director Coast Conservation Area John Wambua said they had received numerous human-wildlife conflict cases in Bamba and Ganze areas.

Speaking to the Star on the phone, he said the problem has been due to less rainfall in Tsavo area.

“In Bamba and Ganze areas, the residents experienced good rains, but Tsavo did not get enough rains, that is why the animals have migrated to those regions in search of food,” Wambua said.

He said a response team of KWS rangers has been deployed in the area to drive the elephants back to Tsavo.

“We have also brought in the reinforcement of additional officers from Laikipia and we will deploy a chopper to ensure the elephants are driven back to Tsavo,” Wambua said.