By Caroline Katana
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has been given two days to drive elephants away from villages in Ndavaya Ward following the latest fatal attack that claimed the life of an elderly man.
Former area MCA Juma Masudi Ngando warned that frustrated residents may take matters into their own hands if no action is taken.
The ultimatum comes after Mzee Kalu Jefa, a resident of Busa village, was attacked and killed by an elephant in Nzephu village along the Mwereni–Ndavaya border during the night of June 4 .
Speaking after the incident, Ngando said the community had reached its limit after years of deadly encounters between residents and elephants.
“We have buried people every year since 2022. This is now the fifth person to be killed by elephants in this area,” he said.
According to the former MCA, another resident from Mbwaleni was killed by an elephant in February this year, underscoring what locals describe as an escalating human-wildlife conflict.
Ngando accused KWS of failing to provide a lasting solution despite repeated attacks on both people and farms.
Beyond the loss of lives, he said elephants regularly invade farms and destroy maize crops, leaving families counting heavy losses during planting and harvesting seasons.
The former MCA warned that unless KWS acts within two days to drive the animals away from villages, or else he will mobilise residents from Mbita, Mbwaleni and Mwandimu to pursue the elephant responsible for the latest attack.
His warning reflects growing frustration among residents living near wildlife habitats, where elephant invasions have become increasingly common.
The latest victim, Mzee Kalu Jefa, was travelling through the Mnarani area between Mwereni and Ndavaya when he encountered the elephant.
Residents said the incident was reported to Ndavaya Police Station, while family members and neighbours gathered in shock as they awaited the retrieval of his body.
” We have KWS officers in Kinango and Kuranze but i doubt if they perform their duties well ,losing souls every now and then is too much for us ,and we are saying enough is enough, ” Ngando said .
The death has renewed calls for urgent intervention by KWS and other government agencies to prevent further loss of life and protect livelihoods in communities bordering wildlife corridors.
For residents of Ndavaya Ward, the killing of Mzee Kalu Jefa is not merely another wildlife incident.
It is the latest reminder of a conflict that continues to claim lives, destroy crops and fuel anger among communities who say they have waited too long for action.
