The victim, identified as Fredrick Warui, was attacked at around 10 p.m. on Friday night. According to residents, the hippo mauled him near his homestead, prompting him to raise an alarm.
Neighbours and family members rushed to his aid and took him to Kimbimbi Sub-County Hospital with severe injuries, including exposed intestines. He was later referred to Kerugoya County Referral Hospital for specialized treatment.
However, family members confirmed that Warui died while being transferred to the facility.
Relatives, led by Bernard Ngure and Rose Wangui, said his body has since been moved to Kibugi Funeral Home in Kutus.
The incident has heightened concerns among residents over the increasing number of hippos roaming villages at night.
Residents, including Njeru Magondu and Mary Nyaguthii, noted that another victim, Peter Kariuki Nduku, 43, from Kiumbu Village in Kiarukungu Location, Tebere Ward, is still receiving treatment at a private hospital after he was attacked by a hippo on Wednesday.
Nduku was reportedly attacked at around midnight while outside his home.
Residents say hippo sightings have become increasingly common in the area, raising fears that the population of the animals may have grown significantly.
The latest fatal attack sparked anger among locals, who accused the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) of failing to address the growing threat posed by the animals.
“It is sad. One person was attacked at Gakungu Bridge in Thiba, another at Ngomano near Kiumbu, another at Kiumbu, and now this one from Kangondo,” some residents lamented.
They also expressed frustration over the lack of a KWS office in Kirinyaga County, noting that residents must seek wildlife-related services in neighbouring Embu County despite recurring human-wildlife conflict in the region.
“Even after devolution, we still have to go to Embu County for wildlife services. We should have KWS offices in our county. Where are our leaders?” Magondu posed.
Residents of Thiba, Tebere, and Murinduko wards have repeatedly raised concerns over the increasing cases of human-wildlife conflict, particularly involving hippos straying into farms and homesteads from nearby water bodies.
