One killed, another hurt by stray hippo

By Robert Kiplagat

Baringo, Kenya: A man lost his life while another one was left seriously injured after they were attacked by a hippo at their farm in Logumgum area, along the shores of Lake Baringo.

According to witnesses, Joseph Mbugua, 52, was crushed by the hippo while his neighbour Sirma Seey, 63, suffered injuries after it invaded their farm during the Friday evening incident.

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.

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 KWS official has however urged the locals to desist from 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 to hold public barazas to educate the public on the same.

Mr Lenashuu said compensation for deaths has been increased from the previous Sh200,000 to Sh5 million and injuries to Sh3 million up from the previous Sh50,000.