KILIFI, County—A 14-year-old boy has died after he was attacked by a hippopotamus while fishing at Mikimba Lake in Magarini Constituency, Kilifi County.
Confirming the incident, Magarini Assistant County Commissioner Joshua Leintoi said the attack occurred at around 8 a.m. on Sunday as the teenager was fishing in the lake.
According to the administrator, the boy sustained fatal injuries during the attack and died at the scene.
Leintoi urged residents living near rivers, lakes and other wildlife habitats to exercise caution while carrying out their daily activities, warning that encounters with wild animals remain a significant risk in the area.
He also appealed to local communities to remain vigilant, particularly during fishing and water-related activities, to help reduce cases of human-wildlife conflict.
The body of the deceased was moved to the Malindi Sub-County Hospital Mortuary, where it is awaiting a post-mortem examination as the family prepares for burial.
The incident once again highlights the growing concern over human-wildlife conflict in parts of the Coast region, where communities living near rivers, lakes and protected wildlife habitats frequently face threats from animals such as hippos and crocodiles.
Conservation authorities have on several occasions urged residents to avoid entering water bodies known to be inhabited by dangerous wildlife, particularly during the early morning and evening hours when animals are most active.
