Deaths, injuries and destruction as lions, jumbos wreak havoc in Lagdera

Lagdera MP Abdikadir Hussein has demanded an explanation following an escalation of elephant attacks.

On Thursday, the MP sought to know measures taken by the Kenya Wildlife Service and other relevant authorities to protect the lives of the affected residents and their livestock from further invasions following the increased invasion of elephants and recent sightings of lions in his constituency.

In the past three weeks, one person has been killed and two seriously injured. Livestock have been killed by the marauding elephants and lions.

The latest incident happened on Monday evening in the Serbi area, three kilometres from Modogashe town, when two headers Hassan Ibrahim, 29,  and Mohamed Ibrahim, 31, were seriously injured by two stray elephants. They are still receiving treatment at the Modogashe sub-county hospital.

The incidents have led to panic among the residents living in fear.

In his statement, the ODM lawmaker said that the rights in human-wildlife conflict currently being experienced in various parts of the Lagdera constituency are alarming.

This, he noted, has become an issue of urgent public concern as it threatens the safety and well being of local communities.

“Honorable speaker it is against this back drop that I seek a statement from the chair person of the departmental committee on tourism and wildlife on the following:

“Immediate measures being taken by the KWS and other relevant authorities to protect the lives of the affected residents and their livestock from further invasions,”

“Plans that are in place to mitigate future wildlife intrusions especially in areas prone to frequent wildlife movement and immediate measures on how the government and the relevant agencies will ensure the local communities are adequately protected from such dangers moving forward.”

The MP further sought clarity from the Kareke Mbiuki chaired committee on the type of assistance and compensation that will be offered to the deceased, those who have been injured and those who lost livestock.

He also sought to know any plans for a broader wildlife management strategy being developed if any specifically targeting communities living close to wildlife zones to ensure that conflicts are minimised in the future.

Speaking in Modogashe town on Tuesday, the MP said despite calls by the local leadership and residents to KWS to urgently intervene.

On Wednesday, residents of Modogashe town led by Mohamed Osman threatened to take to the streets to protest and show their displeasure over the lack of action by the relevant authorities regarding the matter.

Speaking to The Star on the phone on Wednesday, Jacob Ilo Orahle, the Garissa county Senior Kenya Wildlife Service(KWS) warden who confirmed the elephant attack and sighting of lions within Lagdera said that the community has been urged to immediately report to the chiefs and conservancy team for immediate action to be taken.

“We suspect two elephant bulls crossed from Kora and Meru national parks. We have already told the residents that immediately they sight them they report to the chiefs and conservancy team who will swing into action and ensure that they are driven safely to where they come from,” he said.

He appealed to the herders to avoid provoking or going closer to the elephants to avoid death or injuries.