Hyena Attacks 4 Days After Controversial 'Talk To It' KWS Guidelines

This piece of advice was also met with dissatisfaction by a section of residents of Juja, Kiambu County, which has borne the brunt of human-hyena conflicts

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Jan 11, 2024 - 18:05
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Hyena Attacks 4 Days After Controversial 'Talk To It' KWS Guidelines
Photo of a hyena. /FILE

Residents of Kiamugumo village in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County on Thursday, January 11 urged the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to crack down on a hyena which attacked four women on Wednesday.

The four, Susana Wawira, Marion Wawira, Toronto Macharia, and Sicily Murugi, were picking tea on their farms when the attack occurred.

David Muriithi, representing the concerned residents, expressed the pervasive fear amongst the community to the point that the attacks were making them worried about even taking their children to school.

"We are living in fear of even taking our children to Kiamugumo and Ngariama Primary Schools," Muriithi said.

An image of farmers at a tea farm in Kirinyaga County. /BUSINESS DAILY

"There is already an electric wire in Mt Kenya forest and now we are calling on KWS to capture the hyena as it is attacking everybody in the village," Susan Wawira pleaded with the wildlife authority.

Marion recounted the harrowing experience that saw the hyena ambush her from behind. Fortunately, she was rescued by a passer-by who was near the tea farm and rushed to her aid.

She lamented the residents' fear for their children's safety, particularly when they leave very early in the morning to go to school as they might fall prey to wild animals.

Muriithi further opposed the advice shared by KWS on the seven steps one should take while coming face to face with a hyena to prevent attacks, including talking to the carnivore to keep themselves calm and composed.

"How can you talk with a hyena? Is it a human being? they are joking with hyenas near Mt Kenya forest," he criticised.

This piece of advice was also met with dissatisfaction by a section of residents of Juja, Kiambu County, which has borne the brunt of human-hyena conflicts arguing that this would be impossible when faced by a killer hyena.

"The intention of the animal is to kill and eat your flesh, how on earth do you talk to it? The animal is looking for food and you have to protect yourself, you cannot have the courage to stand and have a conversation with an enemy, how?" one of them told Citizen Digital.

"Normally, when you see hyenas, you will run as fast as you can to save your life, you can't stand and wait for them to maul you, it's impossible," added another.

Social media netizens soon joined them in opposing this advice and some crafted hilarious jokes on scenarios of Kenyans having to talk to hyenas face to face.

KWS boss, Fredrick Kisela who is in charge of Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park urged Juja residents to stay calm as they hunt down the wild animals.

The latest incident saw a 10-year-old boy killed by hyenas and his remains were collected at Gwa Kigwi village in Juja on January 3, 2024.

A photo of hyenas. /NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

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