Tragedy as two children are killed by a hippo in Siaya

SIAYA, Kenya, Dec 31- Two children were Wednesday killed by a hippopotamus at the Siungu Uhwaya beaches in Bondo, Siaya County in a tragic incident.

The first incident according to authorities took place when a 12 year old boy was killed as he was swimming in the company of other children who escaped.

A second boy was attacked and killed a few minutes later as the first one was being taken to hospital.

One of the victims is in standard one while the second one is in standard eight.

Siungu Beach Management Unit secretary Erick Ochieng said the children did not deserve to die that way.

He said efforts to scare the animal during the attack did not bear fruits as it was aggressive.

“Locals had rushed to the rescue of the first child but the animal was so aggressive,” he said.

The standard 8 pupil who had been bitten on the stomach was rushed to the Got Agulu Health Centre where he was pronounced dead.

Residents now want the Government through the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to intervene and resolve the hippo menace amid claims that the animals have been straying into people’s farms and homesteads.

Police and KWS officials are now searching for the animal amid protests from the locals demanding immediate action.

Bondo Deputy County Commissioner, Mr Paul Wanyonyi said authorities are taking action to avert further incidents.

He said a hippo had also attacked an administrator two weeks ago as he sustained serious injuries. The animal was tracked and killed days later.

Wanyonyi said the government is considering having a KWS camp established in the area which is prone to human-wildlife conflict.

“We are considering establishing a permanent camp within Usigu division to enable the rangers to respond promptly to distress calls from the residents,” he said.

There has been an increase of incidents of human-wildlife conflict in the area amid calls for action to stop the trend.