Tourist's family gets Sh25m for her death

The family of a Chinese tourist killed by a hippo while on holiday in Kenya has been awarded Sh25 million as compensation.

Lady Justice Jacqueline Kamau ordered Lake Naivasha County Club, owned by Sun Africa Hotels Limited, to pay Luo Jiyao and his wife Wang Yiqing for the death of their daughter Luo Yi, 28 due to negligence on the part of the hotel.

“An individual who constructs a facility that interacts with nature and in particular where wild animals are not inhibited has a duty to ensure visitors are protected. I find that the hotel neglected their mandate and acted recklessly by failing to protect the visitors,” ruled Kamau.

Luo Yi and her five friends visited the country in April 2013 and were booked at the Lake Naivasha County Club for the duration of their visit.

Turned tragic

Her first night at the hotel turned tragic when a stray hippo, from the nearby Lake Naivasha, attacked her while going to her room after supper. She died while being taken to hospital.

Her parents accused the hotel of failing to put in place sufficient security to protect tourists and for allowing wild animals to roam the hotel premises.

They argued were it not for the negligence of the hotel, their only daughter would still be alive and pursuing her career.

They said due to strict policies in China, of one child per family, Luo Yi was their only hope and bread winner, and that her death had left them destitute.

They had demanded Sh100 million but Justice Kamau awarded them Sh25 million.

The judge said it was wrong for hotels to construct facilities near natural features without proper structures to control movement of animals.