A 35-year-old man was killed after being attacked by a hippopotamus while taking his livestock to drink water at River Athi in Miondoni area, Mwala Sub-County, Machakos County.
The victim, identified as Mwendwa Malamu, was attacked on November 7, at around 4pm.
According to a police report, Malamu had taken his livestock to the river to drink water when the hippopotamus attacked him, inflicting deep bites on his body.
He died at the scene from the injuries sustained in the attack.
Police officers visited the scene, which was processed and photographed.
Locals have been protesting against the presence of the animals in the water amid calls they be relocated.
The family of the victim was advised to file for compensation.
In May 2025, Kenya introduced the third phase of its Human–Wildlife Conflict Compensation Programme, an initiative aimed at addressing these incidents and supporting affected families.
During its launch at Meru National Park, President William Ruto unveiled the innovative Wildlife Conservation Card, a new tool designed to help fund conservation efforts.
“Compensation is justice, but prevention is progress,” Ruto said, emphasizing the need for long-term solutions that benefit both people and wildlife.
“Through the Conservation Card, fencing, and community‑led tourism, we are turning conflict into opportunity,” he added.
Developed in partnership with KCB Bank, the Wildlife Conservation Card is available in three tiers—Platinum (Elephant), Gold (Lion), and Silver (Cheetah).
A portion of every transaction made with the card (Sh10, Sh5, and Sh3, respectively) goes directly to the Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund.
The initiative aims to enable Kenyans and international supporters to contribute to wildlife conservation while fostering economic benefits for local communities.
With this new approach, Kenya hopes to build a future where humans and wildlife can coexist more safely and sustainably.
