A 38 -year -old fisherman is recuperating at St. Lawrence Hospital in Homa Bay Town after he was seriously injured by a hippopotamus near Kisaka beach in Suba North Sub County.
Erick Otieno Owidi was attacked by the rogue hippo at around 5:30 am on Thursday when he was hurling fishing gears in his boat at the shore of the Lake in readiness for a fishing expedition.
According to Homa Bay County Beach Management Unit Network Chairman, Edward Oremo, the survivor unknowingly stood next to the breeding site of the hippo and as he prepared to fish, the animal cornered him.
Oremo added that the fisherman had sustained serious injuries before he was rescued by fellow fishermen who heard him screaming for help and rushed him to the hospital.
Confirming the incident to KNA, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Homa Bay Station Warden, Grace Wendot said the fisherman sufferd injuries on the forehead and back and was first rushed to St. Paul’s Mission Hospital for first aid before being transferred to St. Lawrence.
Wendot appealed to fishermen at Lake Victoria to be careful while on fishing expeditions and avoid encroachment of the breeding sites of hippos and other animals to prevent similar incidents in future.
By Martin Shikuku/Davis Langat
