Do bones belong to girl eaten by Lake Baringo crocodile?

The bones of a 13-year-old girl eaten by a crocodile five months ago may have been pushed by a storm to the shores of Lake Baringo.

Identification of the human-like bones has not been made yet.

The grieving family, however, hopes the bones are the remains of their daughter, Cherop Samut, who went to bathe and wash clothes with two friends.

They tried in vain to pull her legs from the jaws of the crocodile but it was too powerful and dragged her down and away on August 9.

The girl was a Grade 3 pupil at Katuwit Primary School in Baringo North.

“I have been shedding tears while constantly camping and patrolling along the lake shore in case strong winds push out the remains of my daughter, ” Toyoi Lokodong said.

However two similar, triangula, human-like shoulder blades (scapula) were spotted on the shore on Wednesday morning.

“For sure, I am a bit relieved today because I believe the bones belong to my daughter who was killed and eaten by a crocodile five months ago” Lokodong said.

Katuwit resident Peter Lokol said a neighbour was passing along the shore in the morning when she spotted the bones covered a bit with mud.

She rushed to inform the family.

Cherop's father, David Samut, urged authorities and the Kenya Wildlife Service to collect samples and carry out DNA tests to identify the remain.

“But I do believe the bones belong to my missing daughter. This gives us hope that more bones will soon be found so we can give her a decent burial," he said

The girl was then accompanied by her two friends. They were washing their clothes and bathing in shallow water when the reptile attacked at 3pm.

Residents said thorny bushes, dangerous hippos and crocodiles frustrated efforts to search for and recover the body of the missing girl earlier.

KWS Baringo deputy Warden David Cheruiyot said they will get the samples for DNA test to determine if they belonged to the girl.

Earlier, he had termed the situation tricky, saying as a department they always rely on exhibits such as body parts to confirm death from a wild animal attack.

“The girl will be considered missing, awaiting a death declaration notice by the police at least in the next seven years," Cheruiyot said.

But he said all is not lost, the search for the slightest parts of the body continues. "They will be subjected to a DNA test to identify the body,” he said. The wait may not be seven years.

“We are only urging the family to be patient as the lawful processes are being followed,” he said. 

Katuwit Primary School head teacher Samuel Korir said the girl together with her classmates had left school for home at about 1pm.

They didn't see it camouflaged in bushes and reeds before it attacked on their friend.

“She was in a jovial mood that day, she even told her class teacher she would be the first one to arrive at school the next day,” Korir said.

He described Cherup as disciplined, jovial, clean and hardworking.

POVERTY-STRICKEN

The girl's family lives in a ricketed grass-thatched hut. 

After the Star published the story, some residents contributed Sh30,000 to purchase foodstuffs and clothing for the family. More is needed.

Government has been urged to fast-track compensation of the family, along with with several others who lost their loved ones to wild animals,

Residents of Katuwit are now living in fear, appealing to the government to supply their communities and public institutions with piped water so people don't risk their lives fetching watcher from Lake Baringo.

(Edited by V. Graham)