The body of a nine-year-old boy who was mauled by a crocodile in Lake Victoria has been recovered.
The deceased, Kennedy Onyango, was attacked and killed by a crocodile at Gode Ariyo beach in Suba North Suba County on Sunday. He had gone to wash his clothes in the company of other children when the reptile pounced.
Homa Bay County, Beach Management Network chairperson Edward Oremo said the crocodile was hiding, making it difficult for the minor to spot it.
A search for the boy was promptly launched by area locals and the Kenya Wildlife Service led by Homa Bay county Warden Grace Wendot.
The boy’s body was finally found on Tuesday, 500 meters from the beach where he was attacked. During the recovery, however, rescuers were shocked after the crocodile emerged and tried to grab the body back into the lake.
This prompted KWS officials and the residents to pelt the animal with stones.
“The crocodile wanted to grab the body back but we threw stones at it before it retreated back into the lake,” said Pius Ochieng’, area Beach Management Unit chairman.
The body was eventually recovered and transferred to Homa Bay county referral hospital mortuary.
Another man also died in the process of looking for the boy’s body
23-year-old Anthony Odila slipped from the boat he was paddling. His body was moved to Kirindo MED 25 mortuary.
