Narok: Residents of Kauka area, Laikipia West constituency, Laikipia county: Residents are urging the government, specifically President William Ruto, to resolve a boundary dispute involving the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and local landowners. The conflict concerns the placement of a proposed electric fence intended to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts. While farmers suggest that the fence be installed along the current forest edge, KFS advocates for aligning it with the original forest map.
According to Kenya News Agency, the contentious stretch spans approximately 7 kilometers of a planned 20-kilometer fence surrounding the South Marmanet forest. The community is seeking prompt intervention to prevent delays in the project, which is expected to be completed in six months. Community leader Ben Machomba expressed confidence that with President Ruto's involvement, a resolution could be reached swiftly, allowing the project to proceed smoothly.
Joseph Kibuku, the contractor responsible for the fence, expressed satisfaction with the local support for the project, which received approval through public participation. Kibuku committed to completing the fence on time, or even ahead of the six-month contract timeline.
Resident David Koskei highlighted the benefits of the electric fence for landowners in Sirale, Kauka, Uaso-Narok, and Kirima, noting that it would eliminate the threat of elephants to crops. The government's aim is to construct the fence to keep elephants confined within the South Marmanet forest, preventing them from damaging farmland.
Residents emphasized the urgency of the project, citing long-standing challenges and significant crop losses due to elephant invasions. Apart from those involved in the 7-kilometer boundary dispute, the wider community endorsed the fence project during public participation meetings led by Nyahururu sub-county DCC Bernard Odino, KWS Assistant Director of Mountain Conservation Lucy Muita, and KFS Laikipia County officials.