BY KAMUNDIA MURIITHI
Security officers and educationists in Mbeere South, Embu County are on high alert after a stray elephant was sighted roaming the area as the (Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam continue.
Mbeere South Deputy County Commissioner Charles Igiha said the elephant sneaked from the Mwea National Reserve at the weekend and roamed a vast area, including Kianjiru Hills, Ndune Gachuriri areas.
He said Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) wardens have pursued the animal, trying to drive it back to the reserve, but unsuccessfully.
According to Igiha, this could imply that other elephants had chased it away.
He said on Sunday wardens, had driven the animal to the Mwea National Reserve boundary, but it turned away and fled.
“We remain on high alert with chiefs and their assistants tracing the whereabouts of the elephant at night. For the KCSE candidates from day schools, we make effort to ensure they do not come into harm’s way as they walk to school early in the morning,” he said.
Whereas the wardens pursued the elephant during day time, at night, the animal roamed about.
Igiha said the elephant had attacked a tethered bull at Kakawa area and injured it, while in a farm belonging to a former deputy governor, it had destroyed watermelons.
He said KWS officers have been camping in the area, hoping to tame the animal.
“We urge people to be vigilant of the marauding jumbo. They should not make noise as that way it may feel threatened and can attack. Rarely does it attack when not provoked,” said Igiha.
Residents have called for quick action to move the elephant from the area.
At the same time, Igiha said KCSE exam was going on without issues.
He said they are well-prepared to ensure the exam continues smoothly even with the onset of the seasonal rains when some areas become hard to access due to muddy roads.
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