- Francis Mwathi Maina, a fisherman from Kihoto, Naivasha, was killed by a hippopotamus while trying to escape from coast guard officers
- Maina was fishing with fellow fisherman James Muriuki when coast guard officers appeared, forcing them to flee
- His body was later retrieved from the lake with the help of the Wildlife Service (KWS) and police officers
- Maina's wife, Beatrice Kerubo, expressed her grief over the loss, recalling their last conversation where he promised to buy dinner
Nakuru – Residents of Kihoto, Naivasha, are struggling with grief and anger following the tragic death of a local fisherman.
Source: UGC
Francis Mwathi Maina who is a fisherman was tragically killed by a hippopotamus allegedly trying to escape from coast guard officers.
Armed with drums and sticks, local fishermen threw caution to the wind as they waded deep into the water in an effort to find Maina's remains.
The fisherman's body was later retrieved from the lake, with the help of the Wildlife Service (KWS) and police officers.
How did Maina meet his death?
Maina left home, as usual, to take care of his family, using only a rod and hook in the water.
James Muriuki, a fellow fisherman, narrated the horrifying events that unfolded, saying that they had just set their usual traps.
He said they were confronted by coastguards, forcing them to flee for fear of arrest.
However, this would be Maina's last day as she ran from the police but straight into the jaws of death.
“When we tried to set traps, coast guard officers appeared and we started running towards the water. When we arrived, my partner went in and reached a place where they attacked and killed him. After that, the officer who was chasing us left, and they went their way.” Muriuki said.
Maina's wife is deeply saddened by the death of her husband
Emma Robi, a fishing sister in Lake Naivasha, expressed her grief, asking the government to help them.
“People who set fish traps. Because even when they enter the water, it is not that they will destroy; these are people who are trying to make a living,” he said.
Heartbroken, Beatrice Kerubo, Maina's wife, could not hold back tears as she recounted the last conversation with her husband.
“Let's think it would have been better if they had left him, see he was killed by a hippopotamus, I was waiting for him to come buy us dinner, now I am being killed… Surely God is watching. who did this,” he cried.
Compensation for victims of human-wildlife conflicts
At the same time, the government of Kenya First it reiterated its commitment to avoid conflicts between humans and wildlife.
President William Ruto he said the move aims to strengthen tourism and ensure the existence of the environment and communities living near the park.
During the establishment of the Lariak Forest Wildlife Electric Fence and the launch of the Human-Wildlife Conflict Compensation Scheme in Rumuruti in April 2024, Ruto said the government would compensate victims of wild animal attacks.
He disclosed that, unlike previous years, the national government had increased the compensation amount.
He said the constitution has been amended so that the victims get KSh 5 million, from KSh 200,000.
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