Two people died in separate incidents following reported attacks by a hippopotamus and an elephant in Kiambu and Meru counties, police and Kenya Wildlife Service officials said.
In the first incident, a 60-year-old man died following a reported attack by a stray elephant while searching for pasture for his goats in Mwonjeru village, Baibariu sub-location, Kawiru location, Meru County.
The incident was reported to police on Tuesday, October 6.
Police said George Mbae Kalubira sustained fatal injuries at around 5 am after encountering an elephant while looking for pasture for his goats on his farm.
Police officers and Kenya Wildlife Service officers from Meru National Park visited the scene and documented the incident.
The body was later moved to Nyambene Mortuary, where it is being preserved pending an autopsy. Investigations are underway.
Elsewhere, a 51-year-old man died following a reported attack by a hippopotamus near the Chania River in Thika West, Kiambu County.
The deceased was identified as Amos Karuku Muraya, alias Ammo.
The incident was reported to police at about 10 am on October 4, 2026, by a local who said a lifeless body had been found in a farm planted with Napier grass in the Majengo area.
Police officers who responded to the scene found Muraya’s body lying on the ground with multiple serious injuries to the head, chest and both hands.
Police said the injuries could have been inflicted by a hippopotamus from the nearby Chania River.
Crime Scene Investigation officers from Thika processed and documented the scene before the body was removed and taken to General Kago Mortuary, where it is being preserved pending a postmortem examination.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The latest incidents highlight persistent human-wildlife conflict in parts of the country bordering wildlife habitats, where stray animals occasionally enter villages, posing a danger to residents and damaging property, according to authorities.
The families were advised to file for compensation, while authorities have been running campaigns to address the conflict and concerns.
In May 2025, Kenya introduced the third phase of its Human–Wildlife Conflict Compensation Programme, an initiative aimed at addressing such incidents and supporting affected families.
During its launch at Meru National Park, President William Ruto unveiled the Wildlife Conservation Card, designed to help fund conservation efforts.
“Compensation is justice, but prevention is progress,” Ruto said, emphasising 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.
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 supporting local communities.
With this approach, Kenya hopes to build a future where humans and wildlife can coexist more safely and sustainably.
