Farmers in Akongolo area of Igembe Central constituency, Meru County, are facing a deepening crisis as repeated elephant invasions continue to destroy crops and livelihoods, leaving families in hunger and despair.
In the green fields of Akongolo in Akirang’ondu ward, the situation appears deceptively calm from a distance.
Crops look healthy and promising, painting a picture of abundance.
But a closer look reveals a different reality—one of destruction and loss.
Trails left behind by invading elephants cut across farms, with enormous dung scattered across fields, drying crops, and uprooted bean stems lying in ruin.
The scene tells a story of dying hope, with livelihoods hanging in the balance.
There are no cows or goats in sight, only growing cries of hunger, justice, compensation and order.
Daniel Kithia, a local farmer, says residents have endured years of losses, describing their efforts as futile in the face of persistent wildlife destruction.
“We are in distress because for years we have been farming for the elephants. All our efforts, money and sweat have been consumed by elephants.
We plant but we do not harvest—not because rains failed, but because for the past four years elephants have been invading our farms and destroying our crops,” he said.
The farmers allege that the situation has been worsened by inaction from Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers, who they claim often witness the destruction without intervening.
“KWS officers usually accompany the elephants and watch them feast on our crops instead of taking them back to the park,” Kithia claimed.
Residents also expressed frustration over what they termed as an unfair and ineffective compensation process.
According to them, the same officers accused of negligence are responsible for assessing damages, leading to minimal or no compensation.
“We are told to report destruction for compensation, but some people get as low as Sh1,000 while others receive nothing at all,” Kithia said.
The farmers are now appealing to area MP Dan Kiili and other leaders to urgently address the crisis, which they say has pushed them into poverty despite their hard work.
Kithia noted that the invasions intensified after residents received title deeds for their land, adding that farming and livestock keeping have both become nearly impossible.
Besides elephant attacks, insecurity from cattle rustlers has further compounded their challenges.
“If the government wants us out of these lands, they should let us know,” he said.
Kinyua Mkenya called on the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife to intervene and provide a lasting solution, questioning the government’s priorities in balancing wildlife conservation and human welfare.
“We want to know between elephants and human life, which one should be protected.
Relief food is not sustainable. If we are allowed to plant and harvest, we can feed our families and educate our children,” he said.
Another farmer, Ezekiah Kubai, displayed dried bean stems destroyed just before harvest, a stark illustration of the losses suffered.
“We are hungry. Our crops have been destroyed, and our animals stolen by bandits. Our children will be going back to school soon, and we do not know how we will pay their fees,” he said.
Kubai also raised safety concerns, noting that residents now avoid working on farms beyond 3 p.m. due to the danger posed by roaming elephants.
Children, he added, are at risk when walking to and from school early in the morning.
Kinyua Benard echoed the frustrations, saying many affected farmers have never received any compensation despite repeated reports of destruction.
“We hear that some people were compensated, but many of us have never received a single coin,” he said.
The farmers now want urgent government intervention, warning that continued inaction will worsen food insecurity and deepen suffering in the region.
