Rising Hippo Attacks Strike Fear in Kisumu Residents
Due to the impacts of climate change globally, the heightened levels of Lake Victoria in Kisumu County have led to not just the displacement of people and destruction of farms, but also amplified the danger of encounters with crocodiles and hippos seeking grazing areas.
As per the Ministry of Tourism, there was a significant rise in compensation claims reaching an all-time high of Ksh.1.5 billion in 2023 due to changes caused by climate change, leading to human-wildlife conflicts.
In the village of Kamnwa, located in the West Nyakach ward within Kisumu County, a sense of sorrow continues to linger in the home of George Ochieng, who is 49 years old.
In the homestead, situated at a corner, lies the recently made grave of Sylvance Oluoch Otieno, his 16-year-old son who tragically passed away on February 19, 2023, near the banks of River Sondu.
“Mtoto wangu alikuwa amepeleka ngombe kunywa maji…ilikuwa kitu kama saa sita hivi mchana…ndiposa akavamiwa na huyo mnyama akauwawa,” recalls Mr. Ochieng.
The sole tangible recollection of the aspirations interrupted by the menacing hippos haunting Kamnwa village is the portrait he clutches in his grasp.
“Alikuwa Class 8, alikuwa anafaa kusit hii mwaka apate results…na huyo mtoto was index one in their school…nilikuwa naamini angeenda shule kubwa,” he adds.
Several meters distant, Meshack Onyango, aged 48, recounts an experience where he narrowly escaped death.
Around 10 pm in February 2023, Meshack anticipated a routine inspection of his cow shed, only to experience a harrowing encounter that nearly cost him his life.
“Kutembea namna hii nikaona tu hippo moja…kujaribu kuifukuza kumbe mtoto wake ilikuwa upande moja…baadaye akaniuma tumbo mara ikatoka nikaanguka nikaanza kupiga kelele…kwa bahati mbaya ama mzuri kulikuwa na fence ingine ile side akatoroka,” he says.
Despite his fortunate survival, Meshack’s dislocated shoulder and an unhealed, intrusive wound have rendered him incapable of farming. Consequently, he has resorted to selling all his cows to provide for his family.
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“Saa hii kwanza vile dunia ni ngumu…mimi nilikuwa naweza pata ata elfu ishirini kwa mwezi…saa hii ata elfu mbili pekee siwezi pata, sababu ile naomba saidia saidia…saa ingine mimi ata nalala njaa nangojea kesho kama Mungu anaweza fungulia mimi njia,” he narrates.
As per the Ministry of Tourism’s data, the compensation sought by those affected by human-wildlife conflicts surged to a concerning Ksh.1.5 billion in 2023, a stark increase from the Ksh.400 million recorded between 2020 and 2021.
The rise in numbers is credited by the ministry to the heightened competition for resources following a period of drought in 2022. This compelled animals to search for food and water in areas inhabited by humans.
In Kisumu County, the increasing Lake Victoria levels have engulfed the riparian zones, causing a significant struggle between humans and animals for the diminishing fertile land.
“Ata juzi baada ya kuzika mtoto nilikuwa nimeweka viazi karibu kumi…walikuja mpaka wakavunja fence…wameshanipea hasara…sio hippo kama ya zamani, hizi ni jasiri…saa ingine unaenda kuchunga ukirushia ata kitu inakuangalia tu hivi,” Mr. Ochieng notes.
As nations commit to implementing the fund for loss and damage, as decided after COP28, communities such as West Nyakach in Kisumu are anticipating relief for the hardships they endure due to climate change-induced disasters.
Francis Orao, the Chairman of the Sango Rota Beach Management Unit, says: “The government can perhaps look at a way of maybe fencing the shore using an electric fence, and protection of the riparian area should also be a task for the community so that when these animals come out, they can be feeding at the riparian area then they just go back without going to the farms outside.”
Rising Hippo Attacks Strike Fear in Kisumu Residents