Farmers in the Kerio Valley have welcomed the government’s decision to construct a Sh200 million electric fence around the Rimoi Game Reserve meant to permanently end years of devastating human-wildlife conflict that has left local communities in financial ruin.
Led by community representatives Michael Kipsalkong and Philip Kandie, the farmers revealed the staggering toll of elephant invasions in the region saying elephants have destroyed over 1,200 acres of crops and as a result, affected farmers are now demanding over Sh2 billion from the national government in outstanding compensation claims.
Kandie and Kipsalkong sharply criticized a section of individuals who have emerged to oppose the perimeter fence, arguing that those speaking out against the safety barrier have never experienced the heartbreaking losses endured by local agriculturalists.
“You can go to bed a rich man, but wake up a pauper after spending Sh200,000 to plant an acre of tomatoes, only to find in the morning that they have all been destroyed by elephants,” Kandie lamented.
He noted that the community has petitioned the State for a physical barrier for decades and expressed relief that the government has finally heeded their cries.
Kipsalkong added that the fence will provide long-term economic liberation for the valley saying with the elephants safely contained, local farmers plan to intensify fruit and horticultural farming which do well in the area in addition to diversifying to other high-yield cash crops to boost their households’ economic status.
The mega-project was officially announced during a joint inspection of the reserve by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Board of Trustees, led by Chairman Joseph Lagat, alongside Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich.
The two leaders affirmed that the fence is a vital intervention to offset the human-wildlife friction that has long plagued local agricultural zones.
To ensure the elephants remain within the protected area, KWS announced complementary infrastructure upgrades, which include the expansion of the Tabar and Kapkelelwa waterpans inside the park. This expansion will guarantee a reliable water supply for the wildlife, removing their incentive to stray into human settlements in search of water.
By Alice Wanjiru
