![The jumbos were on Friday, July 19, spotted walking across a tarmac road linking Timboroa and Eldoret. [PHOTO | K24 DIGITAL]](https://i0.wp.com/www.k24tv.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/jumbo.jpg?resize=730%2C414&ssl=1)
By Kirui Soi.
Kenya Wildlife Service officers on Friday, July 19, accidentally shot dead a 65-year-old man from Timboroa in Baringo County as they were chasing five elephants said to have escaped from a Laikipia conservancy.
Julius Mwenda Kihara, a potato trader, died on the spot after getting struck by a stray bullet.
Timboroa Location chief, Jacob Njehia, confirmed the incident.
The herd comprising five male elephants injured a 19-year-old man, Emmanuel Kipchumba, who was herding his cattle in Timboroa Forest.
Kipchumba was taken to Eldama Ravine Sub-County Referral Hospital.
The victim’s father, Symeone Chepyegon, has appealed to KWS to foot his son’s medical bill.
On Friday morning, panic gripped residents of Timboroa after the elephants were seen wandering around Timboroa Forest dam.
The jumbos were also spotted walking across a tarmac road linking Timboroa and Eldoret.
Reports that the elephants escaped from a Laikipia conservancy have been refuted by Laikipia West game warden, Joel Kanda, who says he suspects that the animals could have escaped from game reserves in either Baringo or Elgeyo-Marakwet counties.
Motorists using the Timboroa-Eldoret Road and residents of Timboroa Town have been urged to exercise caution.
