Man killed by hippo while bathing on shores of Lake

Erick Ooko's body recovered from the lake

A 27-year-old fisherman has been killed by a hippopotamus.

Erick Ooko met his untimely death at Rasira Beach, Gwassi South Location in Suba Sub County on Tuesday evening.

Eyewitnesses said the fisherman went to bathe at the lake shore before he was attacked by the wild animal.

Rasira Beach Management Unit Chairperson Sospeter Ayoko said Ooko failed to notice the hippo that had dived in the water.

“He was suddenly attacked by the animal immediately after starting to bathe,” said Ayako.

The hippo disappeared into the water after killing the fisherman.

Another fisherman, Maurice Owino, who was with the deceased scampered for safety after noticing that his colleague was under attack.

His body was transported to the morgue

Ooko’s body was taken to St Camillus Hospital Mortuary in Sori Township within the neighbouring Migori County.

Homa Bay County Warden Grace Wendot said they were awaiting a postmortem report.

The attack came a few days after residents of Lwanda Beach in Suba North Constituency decried attacks by hippos in the area.