Herd of Elephants Unleash Terror on Census Officials

The ongoing National Population and Housing Census exercise has reportedly been disrupted in Kabuswo and Oldebes in Kisanana division, Mogotio Sub County, following an invasion by a herd of elephants.

According to the area Deputy County Commissioner (DCC), Albert  Mwaringa, the movement of the census enumerators has been curtailed as the officials fear for their safety.

He disclosed that over 40 elephants are suspected to have come from Marmarnet and Mochongoi forests in Laikipia before landing into the area.

Mwaringa was speaking during a county service delivery meeting on Tuesday where he decried the rising cases of human-wildlife conflict.

Police officers and enumerators prepare to begin the 2019 National Population and Housing Census in Nyeri Town, on August 24, 2019.

He added that the residents in the affected areas could not move freely both during the day and night since the jumbos had wreaked havoc destroying acres of crops.

The DCC lamented that there were only two Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) rangers in the region, who could not control the huge numbers of the wild animals.

This happened as the country entered the fifth day of the exercise.

Among other reported challenges facing the census officials include the current heavy rains that have been pounding in several parts in the country.

Absentee household owners have been reported as another challenge that the enumerators were facing. 

There has also been hostility towards the enumerators as several cases of violence have been reported in some homes countrywide.

Census enumerator Athnus Kandie slides a 'Call Card' into a house whose occupant is reported to have been inside but refused to open the door for the officials in Shauri Estate in Eldoret Town, Uasin Gishu County on August 25, 2019. Looking on is Veronica Njeri, a village elder.
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