Boy trampled by killer hippo in Tana River

Residents of Saka in Tana River county are living in fear after a 16-year-old boy was trampled to death by a stray hippo looking for pasture.

Mohammed Abdi met his death on Wednesday while he was taking care of his father's livestock along the River Tana.

Musa Kone, who had joined him in the grazing area, told reporters the body was badly mutilated in a thicket.

Police from Madogo station station rushed to the scene and removed the body.

Addressing the press, senior chief Mumina Harun said although hippos live in the river, they go roaming next to settlements looking for pasture, especially during droughts.

Harun urged KWS to enhance patrols along the sections of the river to drive off stray hippos and other wild animals near settlements.

“Most residents along the River Tana live by farming, grazing livestock, burning charcoal and selling firewood, among other activities," she said.

"The drought in the area is forcing wild animals out of the river to settlement areas,” Harun said.

“I am calling on KWS to increase patrols, especially early in the morning and in the evening, to ensure the safety of our people," Harun said.

Residents who spoke to reporters accused KWS of being lax and insensitive.

MCA Juma Dido said a number of residents killed by wildlife in the area have not been compensated, with some cases dating back more than four years.

Dido said although the area is prone to wildlife attacks, KWS has not opened a patrol office in Madogo.

“Every time we have such an attack we have to travel to Garissa to report the incident. We cannot remove the body until KWS arrive and sometimes they take too long to arrive,” Dido said.

“I am appealing to KWS to open an office in Madogo and post rangers to patrol the Tana River side especially in times of floods and drought when the attacks are common,” he added.

The body of Abdi will be released to the family for burial in accordance to Islamic rites at a Madogo cemetery after the postmortem.

(Edited by V. Graham)