Nairobi — A concrete wall will be constructed around the Mwaluganje Sanctuary in Kwale District to end the human-wildlife conflict.

Speaking at Kizibe Primary School in Kubo division of Kwale during a relief food distribution exercise, Special Programmes Minister Njenga Karume said the government was keen to end the wild animals' menace at the sanctuary in Matuga.

"Although the animals earn the country a lot of money through tourism, the government also has a responsibility to protect its citizens," he said.

The minister, who was accompanied by area MP Ali Mwakwere, said the solar-powered fence had not done enough to contain the elephants that have been terrorising the residents.

"Elephants in this area have put the residents on a 'curfew', whereby they (residents) cannot move around, especially at night," Karume said.

He petitioned the acting minister for Tourism and Wildlife, Mr Raphael Tuju, over the problems faced by Kwale residents.

Mwakwere said the elephants, which cut through the electric fence with their tusks, invade farms and destroy crops. He said statistics show that apart from massive destruction to crops, one person is killed by elephants each month.

He also announced plans to expand the local dispensary and setting up of a new police post at Kazibe trading centre to curb insecurity.