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OCS becomes the fourth person to be injured by the animal with cubs

By RUSHDIE OUDIA

An Officer commanding a station in Kisumu County escaped death narrowly after a leopard attacked him.

The OCS in Kisumu’s Muhoroni constituency was seriously injured by the leopard after he went to help scare away the animal that posed a risk to locals of Kipsamwi at the Muhoroni-Kericho border.

OCS Inspector Geoffrey Muchai had found the animal in a bush at a rocky and hilly place before trying to shoot it.

Before Muchai could take a shot, the veracious animal swiftly pounced on him, injuring him on the hand, neck and lower jaw then quickly vanished back to the bush.

The officer later retreated as his team helped him out of the situation, to his vehicle.

Muhoroni OCPD, Mr Muthuri Mwongera said the leopard had injured four people earlier on, prompting the police to rush to the scene and assess the situation.

The OCS is now nursing the injuries at Avenue Hospital after being moved from Nyanza Provincial Hospital where he was rushed earlier.

“The OCS is currently in a serious but stable condition,” said Mwongera.

Mwongera said Kenya Wildlife Services also tried to immobilize the leopard but the animal reacted in a similar manner by attacking one of the officers in the hand before dashing back to its hiding place.

They then decided to let the animal relax before making another attempt as advised by officers from Kisumu KWS headquarters.

On Saturday, Mwongera warned members of the public walking around the Kipswami area that the animal on the loose was dangerous.

“Saturday morning, two leopards were spotted with a cub,” said Mwongera, adding that its dangerous nature must have been catalysed by the fact that it was protecting its cub.

The OCPD said they are currently taking care of the situation as area chiefs have sensitized their people on being vigilant and report any incident.