Community leaders demand action over human-wildlife conflicts in Kajiado and Narok

Church and community leaders in Kajiado County have asked the national government to urgently address rising human-wildlife conflict in Kajiado and neighbouring Narok counties. They said more than 15 people have been killed in the two counties.

The leaders accused the government of failing to protect communities from dangerous encounters with wild animals and called for immediate measures to prevent more deaths.

They spoke during the ordination of Presbyterian Outreach Mission Church Presiding Bishop Dr Joseph Sinkil Karia at the church's headquarters in Najile, Keekonyie Ward, Kajiado West Sub-County.

Bishop Karia said the crisis has affected his own family, revealing that his son was recently killed by elephants. He criticised the continued movement of wild animals into community settlements, saying residents are increasingly exposed to danger despite the national parks and game reserves.

"My own son has been killed by elephants. It is painful that people are losing their lives to wild animals in their own communities. This matter must be declared a national disaster and addressed with the urgency it deserves," he said.

He urged religious and political leaders to speak openly about the crisis, warning against attempts to silence those demanding protection for affected communities. He said the government must develop lasting solutions that allow residents to live and work without the constant threat of attacks.

Engineer Dickson Ntikoisa also asked the national government to prioritise human-wildlife conflict, saying the deaths required immediate intervention and not more promises. He challenged both levels of government to address longstanding development problems in Kajiado West, particularly inadequate water supply and poor roads. He said parts of Kajiado West have gone without tarmacked roads for a decade.

Another community leader, Moses Kusero, linked the rising conflict to shortages of water and pasture, saying competition for these resources is bringing people and wild animals into dangerous encounters. He urged the National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority to build dams and other storage facilities to capture rainwater that is otherwise lost through flash floods. He said such projects could provide water for communities and wildlife and reduce the need for animals to enter residential areas.

"Water scarcity and inadequate pasture are contributing to these conflicts. We need dams to harvest floodwater and ensure water is available for both people and wildlife," Kusero said.

The leaders called for coordinated action by national and county governments to improve water access, strengthen wildlife management and protect residents in affected areas.