Construction of an electric fence along Marmanet Forest, which stalled mid last year, will resume after residents of villages in the outskirts of Nyahururu town finally endorsed its construction.
This follows last Sunday’s incident where a sixty-five-year-old man was killed by an elephant.
Construction of the 20km fence stalled mid last year after a section of residents chased away surveyors who were marking its route, claiming they would lose their farms to the forest.
The residents okayed construction of the electric fence on Wednesday during public participation meetings held in areas where the fence will pass.
Nyahururu sub-county Deputy County Commissioner Bernard Odino presided over the meetings, assisted by Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) Assistant Director in charge of the Mountain Conservation Area Lucy Muita and Laikipia KWS Warden Rose Marenya.
Nyandarua KWS Warden Paul Wambugu who also oversees Nyahururu town, was present.
A resident of Sirale village, Samson Lobenyo, lauded the construction of the fence, urging those whose land is found to be beyond the forest cutline to seek an alternative way of solving the matter instead of stalling the project.
“We cannot grow fruits like avocado because the elephants invade the farms because they like the fruits,” Lobenyo said.
Ms. Muita appreciated the endorsement of the construction of the fence, noting that this will end the perennial deaths caused by elephants and improve food security.
The KWS Ass. Director called upon the residents to accept and learn to live with the animals, citing that the area falls on the elephants’ migration corridor between Aberdare and Baringo.
“So far, 400km of fences have been done in the Mountain Conservation area that covers about five counties and has largely tamed human-wildlife conflict,” she added.
Her counterpart, Laikipia County Forest Conservator Peter Kariuki Kooro, observed that the fence will be the solution to the human-wildlife conflict and also help in the conservation of the neighbouring forest.
Joseph Kibuku of Universal Trade Limited, the contractor who will do the fencing, was introduced during the meetings held in Ngoru and Uaso Narok sub-locations.
The KWS officer in charge of fencing in the Mountain area, John Andati, said Sh16 million has been set aside for the 20km project, which is expected to be completed within six months.
On Tuesday, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Rebecca Miano directed the holding of the public participation meetings for the approval of the construction of the fence by the residents so that construction to commence immediately.
By Kimani Tirus and James Kamau
