By ROBERT KIPLAGAT
BARINGO COUNTY: A man has been killed and another seriously injured after they were attacked by a hippo at their farm in Logumgum area along the shores of Lake Baringo in Baringo County.
According to those who witnessed the incident, Joseph Mbugua, 52, was crushed by the hippo while his neighbour Sirma Seey, 63, suffered injuries after the wild hippo invaded their farm wreaking havoc.
The deceased is said to have died while being rushed to Marigat district hospital while the survivor was treated and discharged at the same facility after the Friday, 6pm incident.
Baringo Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Warden Kenneth Ole Nashuu said his officers were already on the ground tracking down the rogue hippo which disappeared to the lake after the ordeal.
“The hippo has killed one man and injured another who was tilling their shamba at Logumgum area and we are tracking it down,” said Lenashuu.
The KWS official has however urged the locals to desist walking near the shores of the lake in the evening or at night saying that the hippos usually graze at evenings and in the wee hours of the morning.
He also added that the locals should report such incidences to the police immediately for verification and compensation purposes adding that they are planning for public barazas to educate the public on the same.
Mr Lenashuu said compensation for deaths has been increased from the previous Sh200,000 to Sh5Million and injuries to Sh3Million up from the previous Sh50,000.
Due to high water level in Lake Baringo due to ongoing rainfall, human-wildlife conflicts have been rampant with crocodiles and hippos occasionally attacking both locals and livestock.
Following the incident, locals led by Amos Lempaka have called on the KWS in the area to assure residents of their safety due to the wandering wild animals.
“We have lost about 10 people killed by crocodiles and hippos and others left with injuries after being attacked. We are calling on KWS to kill the rogue hippo and save lives,” said Lempaka.
He also called on the government to compensate the families of the deceased as well as for the injured as per the new law adding that locals cultivating around the lake should also be compensated for crops destroyed.
