Naivasha residents scramble for Hippopotamus meat

NAIVASHA, KENYA: There was drama in Naivasha after members of the public scrambled over Hippopotamus meat that had been shot dead by Kenya Wildlife Service rangers.

Incidentally, the wild animal died in a pond inside the Naivasha sewerage treatment plant where it had sought refuge after being shot at.

Another Hippopotamus that had also been shot by the officers escaped with injuries into the nearby Lake Naivasha.

For the last one month, two hippos have turned a pond in the sewer plant into their home reigning terror on workers and members of the public.

And on Friday, armed with all manner of weapons and containers, the residents fought and jostled for the meat before KWS and public health officers moved in to dispose the carcass.

The residents termed the incident as 'God-send' noting that many could not afford to buy beef due to the high cost.

Unperturbed by the foul smell from the sewer plant, the residents competed with dogs in sharing the meat raising fears of disease outbreak.

According to one of the beneficiaries Ibrahim Wekesa, the hippo had been attacking members of the public in the last couple of weeks.

"Many of us cannot afford the high cost of meat and this is a big blessing to us after the hippo was killed," he said.

The sentiments were echoed by Susan Nekesa who termed the incident as a weekend blessing saying that they would conserve the meat for future use.