Residents camp at the shore of Lake Victoria where a fisherman, Richard Ndege, was killed by a hippo at Mikuna village, Rusinga East, in Mbita, Homa Bay County on March 22, 2023. Another fisherman, Janes Okombo, was killed by a hippo in the area on Thursday. [James Omoro, Standard].
The body of a 48-year-old fisherman who was killed by a hippopotamus in Lake Victoria has been recovered.
Janes Okombo's body was recovered in the lake on Thursday evening near the beach.
The body was retrieved following a search conducted by fishermen, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and Kenya Coast Guard Service officers.
Okombo was killed in the lake near Lambwe beach in Mbita sub-county on Wednesday morning.
He had been on a fishing expedition, alongside his colleague identified as Gilbert Abich, when he was attacked. Abich managed to escape but in serious injuries.
The hippo hit their boat, causing it to capsize. It then attacked its occupants.
It bit Okombo and disappeared with his body.
Homa Bay County Beach Management Network chairman Edward Oremo said: "I thank all stakeholders who helped us find the body."
Oremo said the two fishermen became helpless after the hippo broke their boat.
Abich was first taken to Mbita Sub-county hospital and later transferred to Homa Bay County Referral Hospital where he is recovering.
Oremo appealed to KWS to compensate the bereaved family.
"I also appeal to the county government to support the family during this difficult time," Oremo said.
He also urged the KWS to come up with ways to prevent human-wildlife conflicts.
"This is a serious problem affecting people who use Lake Victoria. We appeal to the KWS to put measures in place to end the menace," Oremo said.
The KWS warden in charge of Homa Bay County Zipporah Mideva said: "We are pursuing the matter in line with the government policy on such incidents. The family will be compensated if the case merits compensation."
The body was moved to MED 25 Kirindo Mortuary for postmortem.
