MWATATE – Residents of Lower Chawia in Mwatate Constituency, Taita Taveta County, have threatened to kill elephants destroying their farms if the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) fails to intervene.
Speaking to the press, affected residents expressed fears for their safetyespecially for school children ahead of school reopenings as herds of elephants now roam the villages during the day.
Despite repeated reports to KWS detailing extensive farm destruction, locals say no lasting solution has been offered. Christine Mwachala, a resident of Mngama, and Patrick Mwanyasi from Alia are among those facing severe losses.
“We will have no choice but to kill the elephants ourselves if KWS does not act. They are destroying our only source of livelihood,” Mwachala said.
The community also highlighted a long-standing lack of financial compensation for recurring wildlife damage, calling on county leaders to step in. Community members Muiu Nguli Ngura and Micar Mwazighe urged both KWS and national authorities to deliver justice to victims of human-wildlife conflict.
“We have suffered for years without compensation. Let KWS and the government act now and compensate us for our destroyed crops,” the residents demanded.
