Residents of Solio Settlement Scheme in Laikipia Central have accused Kenya wildlife Service of laxity in handling wild animals. They said a herd of five elephants from Mt Kenya Forest have destroyed more than a 100 acres of crops in two day.

"Some of us will not harvest anything this season," said resident Mary Wambui. The animals are said to have destroyed potatoes, beans and maize ready for harvesting.

"The fear we have now is that the marauding elephants might cause injuries or even deaths to the locals," said Laikipia County Council chairman councillor Joseph Karonji.

The residents were resettled five years ago by the government after squatting in Mt Kenya forest for about 20 years. Efforts to contact KWS assistant director in-charge of mountain region Aggrey Maumo were futile as he was said to be in a meeting.