BY PETER KARANJA
A family in Kinango, Kwale County, is in deep mourning after a pack of hyenas attacked and mauled two children to death.
The disturbing report comes just months after stories emerged of hyenas prowling the night – and digging up graves in search of bones in Migori county.
In this specific incident however, the marauding hyenas are said to have stormed the family’s home at 9:30am – where the children were sleeping – and attacked them.
The mother had reportedly left the two siblings, aged one and three years sleeping in the house as she went about her duties not very far from the house.
She is said to have returned home only to find the hyenas in the house attacking her children.
The mother tried to fight the hyenas
Kinango sub-county police commander Fred Ombaka who confirmed the incident said that the mother tried to fight off the hyenas – and sustained injuries in the process.
She could not fight the hyenas alone – and called for help. Neighbours arrived but it was already too late as they had already suffered serous bites.
Angry villagers pursued the animals driving them into the bush, with four said to have sustained injuries during the pursuit.
“The villagers pursued the hyenas and killed one of them, ” Mr Ombaka told the Nation.
Another attack was reported
Reports indicate that the same pack of hyenas had attacked two people the night before in what was an unprovoked attack.
The two were rushed to hospital where they were treated and later discharged.
The rising cases of human-wildlife conflict that have increased three-fold have been linked to drought and famine which has forced wild animals to encroach into human settlement in search for food.
The bodies of the two children were taken to Kinango Hospital mortuary.