In a shocking incident near a university outside the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, hyenas recently attacked and killed a man while leaving two others injured. This incident has sparked outrage among the students, who are now protesting what they perceive as a lack of security in the area. The disturbing attack took place on Monday night on a road bordering the Nairobi National Park in Ongata Rongai.
Among the injured was a student from Kenya's Multimedia University, who bore the brunt of the hyena attack. In response to the incident, students from the university took to the streets and disrupted traffic, demanding better safety measures. However, their protest was met with tear gas from the police, who attempted to disperse the crowd.
Students believe that living in such close proximity to the national park poses a significant risk to their safety. Ochieng Kefah, a Multimedia University student and one of the protesters, expressed concern over the lack of restrictions on the movement of wild animals. He stated, 'The university is not safe because we are near the national park. The government should, maybe, put some restrictions on the movement of the animals.'
The injured student, identified as 21-year-old engineering student Kevin Mwendwa, sustained serious injuries, including the loss of his thumb, during the attack. In a grim discovery, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) reported that a team investigating the scene found body parts belonging to another victim of the hyenas.
In response, the KWS' Problem Animal Management Unit took immediate action by euthanizing one of the hyenas and initiating efforts to identify any nearby hyena dens. The carcass of the euthanized hyena is currently undergoing examination to determine if it carried any diseases such as rabies.
The man who tragically lost his life in the attack has been identified as Anthony Pasha. According to his relatives, Pasha was collecting firewood when the hyenas attacked him. Kaaji Lesian, the victim's cousin, revealed, 'The hyena came, it attacked him, chased him from the forest, put him down here. He left his firewood exactly where you are seeing them... down there.'
Unfortunately, hyena attacks have become increasingly common on the outskirts of Nairobi. To address this growing concern, the KWS released guidelines earlier this year on how to react when confronted by hyenas. The guidelines advise individuals to face the hyena, not back down or flee, and instead appear aggressive and intimidating to deter the animal.
This incident follows another heartbreaking hyena attack earlier this year in which a 10-year-old boy named Dennis Teya was fatally wounded in Kiambu County, located north of Nairobi.
These disturbing attacks highlight the urgency for improved security measures near wildlife reserves and national parks in Kenya. With students now taking to the streets to demand action, it is crucial for the government and wildlife authorities to address their concerns and find a solution to ensure the safety of all individuals living in close proximity to these natural habitats.
