Police in Voi Sub-county, Taita Taveta County, are investigating the death of a 16-year-old boy believed to have been killed by an elephant while grazing goats in Kasigau Ranch.
The incident was reported on April 17, 2026, after the teenager failed to return home from grazing livestock the previous day.
According to police, the deceased, identified as Ismail Jare Bashir Abdullahi, had left for grazing on the morning of April 16 but did not return in the evening.
Only the goats made their way back home, raising alarm among family members.
A search party was organized the following morning, leading to the discovery of his body in Mugongoni area within Rukanga Sub-location.
Police officers and officers from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), visited the scene.
The body was found lying on its back, partially undressed, with severe injuries. Investigators noted a deep wound running from the right side of the back to below the left armpit, a broken right arm at the shoulder, and a disfigured upper jaw.
The scene also showed clear elephant footprints and disturbed ground, supporting suspicions of a wildlife attack.
The deceased was positively identified by his uncle.
The body was moved to Moi Referral Hospital in Voi for preservation and post-mortem examination.
Authorities have launched investigations into the incident, with wildlife officers expected to assess the situation to prevent further human-wildlife conflict in the area.
Such attacks have been on the rise in the area amid a campaign to address them.
In May 2025, Kenya introduced the third phase of its Human–Wildlife Conflict Compensation Programme, an initiative aimed at addressing these incidents and supporting affected families.
During its launch at Meru National Park, President William Ruto unveiled the innovative Wildlife Conservation Card, a new tool designed to help fund conservation efforts.
“Compensation is justice, but prevention is progress,” Ruto said, emphasizing the need for long-term solutions that benefit both people and wildlife.
“Through the Conservation Card, fencing, and community‑led tourism, we are turning conflict into opportunity,” he added.
Developed in partnership with KCB Bank, the Wildlife Conservation Card is available in three tiers—Platinum (Elephant), Gold (Lion), and Silver (Cheetah).
A portion of every transaction made with the card (Sh10, Sh5, and Sh3, respectively) goes directly to the Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund.
The initiative aims to enable Kenyans and international supporters to contribute to wildlife conservation while fostering economic benefits for local communities.
With this new approach, Kenya hopes to build a future where humans and wildlife can coexist more safely and sustainably.
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