Nairobi,KENYA:Taita Taveta legislators have opposed a move to transfer 21 elephants from Laikipia county to the Tsavo national parks in a bid to mitigate the escalating human wildlife conflict.
Led by Voi legislator Jones Mlolwa alongside his Mwatate counterpart Andrew Mwadime addressing journalists at parliamentary building termed the move as ill informed .
The duo said that it is incorrect for the government to transfer the wildlife from one park to the other on human wildlife conflicts grounds complaining that the same problem is rampant in Taita Taveta.
“Today I have seen elephants being transferred from Laikipia to Tsavo,due to human wildlife conflict , same problem they are undergoing in Laikipia is the same problem we are facing in Taita Taveta ,we oppose such a move.”Mlolwa said
They accused the government of turning a deaf ear on the predicament the residents are going through following the destruction of their crops caused by elephants a factor that is enhancing escalation of human wildlife conflict in the area.
They also complained about harassment of residents found in the park while failing to tame elephants which are roaming and destroying wananchi’s properties.
Last year the government commissioned a 150 million electric fence project in bid to minimize the human wildlife conflict in some areas in Taita Taveta.
On Wednesday, the KWS kicked off a project to move 21 elephants fron Laikipia to Tsavo.
According spokesperson Paul Gathitu who spoke to Baraka FM on phone, the elephants would be moved in phases for their wellbeing.
