A fisherman has lost his life following a hippo attack on the shores of Lake Victoria on Tuesday.
27-year-old Erick Ooko was taking an evening bath at Rasira Beach, Gwassi South Location in Homa Bay County when he met his untimely death.
Rasira Beach Management Unit Chairman Sospeter Ayako said the deceased did not notice that there was a hippo in the lake when he went to bathe.
“The man dived into the water directly where the hippo was. He was attacked on the spot immediately after starting to bathe,” said the official.
Ooko reportedly died on the spot after the wild hippo bit him in the chest.
Mr Maurice Owino, another fisherman who was together with the deceased, managed to escape after he saw his friend being attacked by the hippo.
Mr Ayako said locals who rushed to the scene to save the fisherman were too late as body organs were already floating on the water when they arrived.
The hippo disappeared into the lake after attacking the fisherman.
Homa Bay County Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Station Warden Grace Wendot said they are waiting for an autopsy report before they engage on the compensation process.
“We will rely on a post-mortem report and our own assessment which will determine whether the family of the victim will be compensated or not. The matter will be discussed with the family,” the KWS officer said.
She also urged people living near the lake and other water bodies that are habitats of dangerous wild animals to be cautious when using the water to prevent human-wildlife conflict.
Ooko’s body was taken to St Camillus Hospital Mortuary in Sori Township.
