Man dies after hippo attack in Homa Bay
A 41-year-old man died yesterday after an attack killed by a hippopotamus in Ndhiwa sub-county, Homa Bay County.
James Osore was killed by the wild animal at dawn enroute to his farm at Jabagre village in Kachieng location.
Osere was in company of his neighbour Kennedy Oloo when the stray animal attacked and killed him.
The deceased sustained serious injuries and died after the hippo bit his arms and waist.
His body was moved to Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary.
Oloo however is fighting for his life at the hospital from the injuries he sustained. The hippo broke one of his legs.
Confirming the incident, West K’Achieng Location Chief Samson Owili said several reports about wildlife attacks have been reported in the area.
Owili said cases of attacks by hippos and crocodiles are increasing and causing damages in the area.
“It’s unfortunate Osore has been killed while a colleague is injured after attack by a hippo. I received a report that the hippo normally hides in a thicket before attacking people,” Owili said.
The wild animal is reported to have been living in River Kuja. Before it attacked Osore and Oloo, the hippo is said to have walked for about 10km away from the river.
“The scene where the animal caused the damage is about 10km from the river,” Owili said.
The administrator called on the Kenya Wildlife Service to intervene and rescue residents from the tribulations. He argued that the rate at which hippos roam in the area causes worry among the residents.
