A teacher was on Monday killed by a marauding elephant as he was taking a photograph of the animal at Miti Tatu village in Kipkelion, Kericho County.

According to eyewitnesses, the teacher was among hundreds of curious villagers watching the two elephants as they passed through the village.

They said the angry elephant caught up with the teacher as he attempted to run to safety.

It tossed him in the air before trampling on him as he landed on the ground, killing him instantly, they added.

A primary school pupil was however lucky after the other elephant chased but did not catch him.

Following the incident, residents have accused the Kenya Wildlife Service(KWS) officers of failing to respond to their cries.

They said some officers arrived at the scene and attempted to drive away the jumbos but were overwhelmed and went back.

The two elephants are inside a blue gum tree plantation in the area, while the body of the teacher has been taken to the Londiani sub-county hospital mortuary.