Nairobi: Grief has engulfed the Aitong area near the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Narok West Sub County after an 11-year-old girl was killed by elephants while on her way to school. Narok County Police Commander Riko Ngare confirmed the incident, saying the juvenile was a grade three pupil at Rekero Primary School. “The scene was visited by police officers and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers from Aitong patrol base, who moved the remains of the girl to Narok County Referral Hospital Mortuary,” he said.
According to Kenya News Agency, following the incidents, the residents have called on the government to intervene and confine the wild animals to the controlled areas to avoid more deaths. Emily Kipetu, a resident of the area, said a similar incident had occurred a day earlier where a herdsman was killed by a rogue elephant while looking after the cattle. “We suspect there is a rogue elephant roaming around that has caused the death. We ask the KWS officers to intervene before we lose another person,” she said.
There are approximately 2,500 elephants at the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, and during dry seasons, the large animals roam in search of grass and water. The residents are advised to exercise caution while herding, collecting firewood, or going to the farm in bushy areas to avoid conflict with wild animals. Victims of human-wildlife conflict have a right to seek compensation for loss of life, injury, or damage to property.