Hippos kill two flower farm workers in Lake Naivasha

Cases of hippo attacks in Lake Naivasha are on the rise, with two flower farm workers being the latest victims.

Naivasha subcounty hospital records indicate that at least 10 people have died since the beginning of the year.

The most recent incident occurred earlier this week when two flower farm workers were attacked and killed by hippos while fishing on the shores of the lake.

“One died while fishing near Kihoto and the other in Karagita. The bodies were taken to the Naivasha Sub-County Hospital mortuary,” Naivasha Sub-County Police Commander Stephen Kirui revealed.

A fortnight ago, a Kamere Beach official was also attacked and killed by a hippopotamus while on duty at the busy facility.

Despite a decrease in cases between 2022 and 2023, statistics show that at least two people are attacked every month.

A nurse at Naivasha sub-county referral hospital revealed that 80 per cent of victims who survive attacks suffer permanent injuries.

“The bites are serious and we have victims who lose their limbs due to the severity of the wounds,” the doctor said.

The increase in hippo attacks is attributed to several factors, including illegal fishing, uncontrolled hippo population, and encroachment on riparian lands around the lake.

On 26 February 2024, three middle-aged men were killed by hippos near Kihoto Estate and Karagita Landing Beach in three separate incidents, while on an illegal fishing mission.

Last year, on September 26, a group of hippos attacked and killed a middle-aged Naivasha sewage plant worker who was on duty.

He was pronounced dead on arrival at Naivasha Sub County Hospital.

That month alone, hippos killed one person and seriously injured five others, including a student at one of Naivasha town’s primary schools.

According to the Naivasha Wildlife Research and Training Institute, the lake is estimated to have 500 hippos, a number considered optimal for the body of water.

Last year, more than 20 people, mostly illegal fishermen, also known as foot fishermen, were killed or maimed by hippos.

Most foot fishermen die during their fishing excursions along the shores of Lake Naivasha.

In recent months, cases of human-wildlife conflict around the waterbody have increased, with encroachment on riparian lands and crossing of wildlife corridors cited as the cause.

Kirui called the human-wildlife conflict worrying and called for concerted efforts to address the problem.

Experienced boat operator David Kilo, in an interview with Nation.africa, admitted that the number of attacks has increased and blames unlicensed fishermen who are taking risks.

“They fish using beams which are quite unstable, especially when chased by dangerous animals, hence the latest increase in the number of attacks,” he said.

However, the presence of the much-feared elite Coast Guard has led to a decline in illegal fishing, but the squadron has been accused of arrogance, leading to the current negligence.