This archive report was first published on 27 August 2019.
Published on August 27, 2019, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has issued a warning to residents in Kerio Valley ahead of the annual elephant migration. The agency has advised locals to report any elephant sightings to minimize human-wildlife conflict.
According to John Ngalia, the Elgeyo Marakwet senior warden, farmers have been instructed to immediately report any elephant sightings so that additional warders can be deployed. “We are now sensitising farmers in parts of Arror and in areas along the migratory route so that we minimise human-wildlife conflict,” Mr Ngalia said.
The migrating elephants move in families northwards from the Rimoi National Reserve along the border of Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo counties to Turkana South between August to October. The animals cover at least 200km before making a return journey in November and December.
Elgeyo Marakwet County Government is planning to capitalize on the annual migration to increase the number of local and foreign tourists to the area. Tourism Executive Shadrack Yatich said tourists can watch large herds of elephants as they journey to the north and back.
