Nairobi: A middle-aged woman narrowly escaped death after being attacked by a hyena in the Rimoi area of Keiyo North sub-county.
According to Kenya News Agency, the woman, Hellen Chepsergon, is currently receiving treatment for her injuries at Iten Referral Hospital. She was attacked around 5 PM yesterday while herding her livestock. Chepsergon sustained multiple injuries and lost one of her fingers, which doctors had to amputate due to the severity of the attack.
Dr. Lawrence Kogos stated that the medical team promptly attended to her upon arrival at the hospital. He mentioned that although she is in stable condition, she has sustained permanent injuries that will impact her future life. Dr. Kogos added that the hospital will provide counseling services to help her cope with the trauma resulting from the incident.
A young man named Ian Kipkorir was also admitted to the same hospital with hand injuries after he was attacked by the hyena while attempting to rescue Chepsergon. Kipkorir recounted that he was at home when he heard the woman screaming. He immediately grabbed a machete and rushed towards the source of the cries.
"I arrived and found the woman struggling with the hyena. When the hyena saw me, it left the woman and attacked me, biting my hand," Kipkorir explained. Narrating the incident from the hospital, the young man said he managed to decapitate the animal, killing it and saving Hellen's life, after which neighbors arrived and rushed them both to the hospital.
Nelson Cheruiyot, the officer in charge of the wildlife services department in the county, assured that the department will ensure the two individuals are compensated for their injuries. Cheruiyot noted that the hyena was likely searching for food, having strayed from the Rimoi Game Reserve into human settlements.
Area Member of Parliament Adams Kipsanai mentioned that funds had been allocated to fence the game reserve to prevent such incidents. He expressed commitment to liaising with the Ministry of Tourism to ensure the funds are released and the fence is constructed.