14 elephants die under mysterious circumstances at Amboseli National Park
14 elephants die under mysterious circumstances at Amboseli National Park
At least 16 elephants have died over the last two weeks under mysterious circumstances near the Amboseli National Park, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) insiders said, although 14 deaths have been confirmed so far.
KWS Head of Communication Duncan Wanyama confirmed that the elephants were discovered dead in different locations surrounding the park, approximately 15 to 30 kilometers from its boundaries.
KWS further revealed that the elephants were of different ages and sexes, with the deaths occurring over a span of just three weeks, raising alarm among conservationists and local leaders.
“When I spoke to the head of the Rapid Response Team (RRT), he told me they were still gathering information before reaching a conclusion. He also clarified that the elephants did not die inside Amboseli National Park.
They were found on surrounding ranches, some about 15 kilometres away from the park and others nearly 30 kilometres away,” Wanyama said.
However, Wanyama stated that the cause of the deaths of the animals is yet to be established, even as KWS has initiated a probe into the matter, led by vets stationed in the park who have initiated the process.
Additionally, the samples have also been sent to the Government Chemist for further analysis.
On the other hand, Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku has now stepped in, demanding that KWS move faster and speak plainly about what it knows.
He says the community feels a deep connection to these elephants, insisting the animals and the land they roam belong to the people who live there, not to KWS alone.
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That delay has only fuelled frustration among residents who want answers before more elephants die.
“We said, what is happening to our elephants? These animals are ours. We want to get a report. Because KWS has taken samples. We want to get a report: what killed thirteen of our elephants in three weeks? It has never happened,” Ole Lenku said.
The issue also opened a Pandora’s box on the delayed handover of Amboseli’s management to Narok County Government, an issue tied to broader disputes over control of the park.
In this regard, Narok threatened to withdraw support from President William Ruto in the 2027 general elections if answers to both issues are not given in time.
“I am waiting for the governor’s name. He is the one who said he prayed for this embargo. If he doesn’t say the deadline is this, I am saying to the Maasai, there is no way to give votes to Ruto,” stated one council of elders.
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