Two people were separately killed in elephant attacks in Meru and Kilifi counties in the latest cases of human-wildlife conflict in the country.
In the first incident, a 40-year-old woman was killed after being attacked by an elephant in Meru County on Wednesday, police said.
The incident occurred at Rikiau Village in Igembe Central Sub-County. Police identified the victim as Flora Nkatha. She was reportedly working on her farm when the elephant attacked her.
Members of the public responded and rescued her before rushing her to Guardian Hospital for treatment.
However, she succumbed to her injuries while undergoing treatment.
Her body was later moved to Nyambene Hospital mortuary awaiting a postmortem examination.
In Kilifi County, a 38-year-old man who had been reported missing in Bamba was found dead in a bush in what police believe was an elephant attack.
According to police, the body of Ibrahim Maalim Edin was discovered on Tuesday afternoon at Kathoroni village in Gede sub-location.
The deceased had reportedly gone missing on May 18 at about 6pm before two herders stumbled upon his body at about 3.30pm on May 20.
Police and Kenya Wildlife Service officials visited the scene and established that the man had likely been attacked by an elephant.
Police said the body had visible tusk injuries on the chest, arms and thighs, while both legs appeared broken.
The body had started decomposing by the time it was discovered.
Investigators recovered the deceased’s mobile phone, identification card, torn clothes and other personal belongings scattered within a radius of about 30 metres from the scene. Bushes around the area also appeared disturbed, suggesting a struggle.
The scene was processed before the body was moved to the Kilifi County Referral Hospital mortuary awaiting a postmortem examination.
The Kenya Wildlife Service has launched further investigations into the incident.
The family of the deceased was informed to report for compensation.
