Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku has called on the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and conservation agencies operating within the Amboseli ecosystem to stop what he termed as harassment and intimidation of tomato farmers in Kimana, following the deaths of elephants in the area.
Speaking in his office after meeting representatives of the Kajiado Tomato Farmers Association, led by Chairman Collins Ochudo and Secretary-General Dennis Nyabaro, Lenku said research by scientists from the Amboseli Trust for Elephants and the African Conservation Centre had established that the elephant deaths were linked to a type of grass locally known as emurua, which emerges following periods of excessive rainfall.
Lenku said the findings ruled out the use of cyanide chemicals by tomato farmers as the cause of the elephant deaths and urged KWS and other conservation stakeholders to engage researchers and the county government in seeking solutions.
“The researchers who have been in the Amboseli ecosystem since 1967 have confirmed that the elephant deaths were not caused by the cyanide chemicals. We want to tell KWS and other players within the Amboseli ecosystem to live and let live. Let the cattle roam and let the farmers farm without undue interference. Since we know that tomatoes are not the problem, why harass our farmers?” said Lenku.
The Governor said the focus should instead shift to creating and protecting wildlife corridors to provide elephants and other animals with additional space to roam and reduce human-wildlife conflict.
He questioned why elephants from specific areas were affected, while no other animals or people in the ecosystem had reportedly suffered similar consequences.
“The economic sabotage we see in Kimana is something we take great exception to. We stand as a County government and call for a stop to harassment and intimidation of our farmers, as it is not their farming activities causing elephant deaths,” Lenku said.
Lenku urged KWS to work closely with researchers who have studied the Amboseli ecosystem for decades and the county government instead of targeting farmers.
He said tomato farmers play an important role in food production and job creation, adding that the County government would withdraw its support from conservation agencies found to be harassing farmers.
KWS has reported 18 elephant deaths in different parts of the Amboseli ecosystem between June 24 and July 31, 2026.
In a statement on the multi-agency investigation into the deaths, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Rebecca Miano said four suspects have been arrested in connection with the incidents.
The statement further indicated that a search conducted in Tikondo, Kimana, within Oloitokitok Sub-county, resulted in the recovery of assorted substances, including chemicals believed to have been sourced from a neighbouring country.
“Investigations and judicial processes will proceed into lawful conclusion, and any person established to have unlawfully killed, poisoned, or harmed wildlife will be prosecuted in accordance with the law,” the statement said.
By Diana Meneto
