Farmers in Kowow village, Elgeyo Marakwet County are counting heavy losses after elephants raided their mango farms over the weekend, destroying crops that were nearly ready for harvest.
According to the residents, the destruction has severely affected household incomes and threatens food security, as many families rely on mango farming as their main source of livelihood.
The affected farmers are calling on county leaders and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to urgently intervene and prevent further damage. They have also urged the Kenya Wildlife Service to work with county authorities to assess the damage, improve wildlife control measures, and ensure affected families receive compensation and support.
Residents noted that Kerio Valley has long struggled with insecurity due to banditry, which disrupted farming and daily life.
However, security has improved in recent years following government-led operations, famously known as Operation Maliza Uhalifu, in the counties of North Rift region during which several illegal firearms and ammunition have been surrendered to the authorities, restoring relative peace in the area.
With stability gradually returning, farmers say they had begun rebuilding their livelihoods when the elephant invasion struck.
They warn that swift government action is needed to protect both their crops and the security gains already achieved, urging authorities to act before further losses occur.