The troubled area of Laikipia has seen yet more tragedy with the news that the director of Suiyan Ranch, Girfled Powys, has been trampled to death by an elephant.

Worldwide, elephants kill about 500 people each year, mainly by trampling on them.

County Police Commander Simon Kipkeu reported that the deadly incident took place about 1.30pm yesterday (Wednesday 28^th December) after Mr Powys left his vehicle near a watering hole when one of a herd of elephants nearby charged him.

Full details of the attack are as yet sketchy. The Senior Kenya Wildlife Service warden for Laikipia, Richard Chepkwony said the area has a poor phone network and that he had been unable to find out all the details of the attack.

CRITICISM OF LOCAL POLITICIANS

Girfled Powys has in the past been critical of local politicians who, he alleged, incited local herders to invade ranches in the area.

Speaking at Jamhuri Day celebrations in 2016, Powys said: “We have lived in those ranches for more than 102 years, yet somebody wants to come and evict us. Where do we go? The ranches are our homes. Laikipia is our home”.

In April of this year the Italian author Kuki Gallman was shot and wounded on her conservancy and in March rancher Voorspuy was murdered by a local gang as he went to investigate two burning cottages.