MARSABIT, Kenya – Two people have been killed in separate incidents involving elephants in Marsabit and Narok counties, casting a spotlight on the escalating human–wildlife conflict in Kenya.
In Marsabit, a 30-year-old National Police Reservist, identified as Lmalina Leado, was fatally trampled by an elephant on Wednesday while passing through the Ndonyawas area of Marsabit National Park.
He was reportedly carrying his G3 rifle when the elephant charged. Authorities found the rifle—with 40 rounds of ammunition—beside his body.
Police and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers responded to the scene and confirmed that Leado had been rushed to a local hospital, but he later succumbed to his injuries. An investigation into the circumstances of the attack is ongoing.
In a separate incident in Narok County, a 14-year-old boy was attacked and killed by an elephant while herding cattle at a watering point in Naroosura village on June 19.
The boy was taken to Narok Teaching and Referral Hospital but died while undergoing treatment.
A Growing National Challenge
These tragedies come amid growing concern over the frequency and severity of encounters between humans and wildlife, particularly in areas where expanding communities overlap with traditional animal ranges.
In May 2025, the government launched the third phase of its Human–Wildlife Conflict Compensation Programme, designed to offer financial relief to families affected by such incidents and to implement preventive strategies.
Speaking at the programme’s launch in Meru National Park, President William Ruto stressed the need for both justice and long-term solutions.
“Compensation is justice, but prevention is progress,” Ruto said. “Through the Conservation Card, fencing, and community‑led tourism, we are turning conflict into opportunity.”
A New Conservation Model
Central to the initiative is the Wildlife Conservation Card, developed in partnership with KCB Bank and rolled out in three tiers—Platinum (Elephant), Gold (Lion), and Silver (Cheetah).
Each transaction made with the card contributes directly to the Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund (Sh10, Sh5, and Sh3, respectively).
The card is not just a financial tool but a statement of intent, designed to involve both Kenyans and international supporters in conservation efforts while also delivering tangible benefits to local communities.
The Bigger Picture
Human–wildlife conflict remains one of the most pressing conservation challenges in Kenya today.
As wild animals roam outside protected areas in search of food and water, especially during dry seasons, interactions with communities often turn deadly.
Conservationists warn that without adequate investment in mitigation—such as fencing, wildlife corridors, early warning systems, and public education—the cost of coexistence will continue to rise.
Meanwhile, families like those of Leado and the unnamed boy in Narok are left mourning loved ones, caught in the crossfire of a conflict that demands urgent, sustained attention.
