Farmers in Kimana, Kajiado County, blocked the Loitokitok-Emali road to protest the arrest of four colleagues in connection with the deaths of 18 elephants in the Amboseli ecosystem.
On Monday ,August 24,2026,the farmers questioned the findings of investigations linking the deaths to toxic substances, arguing that they should not be blamed for wildlife deaths before a conclusive investigation is completed.
The protest disrupted transport and business activities in Kimana for several hours as farmers demanded answers over the arrests.
Farmers question elephant deaths
The farmers said elephants frequently stray into their farms and questioned why they were being held responsible for the deaths.
One resident said: “Mkulima anahusika aje na wanyama pori? Wanyama pori ndio wanakuja kwa wakulima mashambani.”
Another questioned whether the elephants died in one farm, saying authorities should explain why farmers from Kajiado were being arrested.
The farmers also challenged claims that cyanide poisoning from pesticide-contaminated tomatoes caused the deaths, saying other animals and livestock in the area had not suffered similar effects.
Farmers challenge KWS findings
Doreen Muthoni, a farmer from Kimana, said farmers had continued selling their produce without receiving reports of people being harmed after consuming the tomatoes.
“Nyanya hii tunauza ata sehemu ya Kampala, Uganda. Na hatujasikia Wizara ya Afya ikisema ya kwamba kuna mtu yeyote yule amepata madhara na nyanya hii,” she said.
Muthoni questioned why elephants feeding on crops from the area would die in Amboseli while similar deaths had not been reported in nearby Tsavo.
Collins Ochido, another farmer, also questioned the explanation linking farm chemicals to the elephant deaths.
“Kwani hii dawa tunapiga inatambua maafisa wa KWS, polisi na nini na kila kitu, lakini ikifika kwa ndovu tu ndio inaua?” he posed.
Four arrested as probe continues
The protests came after the government confirmed the arrest of four persons of interest as investigations into the deaths continue.
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano said investigators had also recovered potentially toxic and unlabelled substances in Tikondo, Kimana, for scientific analysis.
Preliminary laboratory results pointed to the probable involvement of a toxic substance, with earlier indications suggesting cyanide poisoning from pesticide-contaminated tomatoes.
Miano, however, cautioned that the findings were still subject to further scientific verification and that the arrests did not by themselves establish criminal culpability.
“The Government will allow the investigative and judicial processes to proceed to their lawful conclusion,” she said.
Authorities said the first 15 elephant deaths were recorded between June 24 and July 24, with the number later rising to 18.