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Buffalo attack claims life in Taita Taveta

Buffalos drinking water at a pool in the Kenyan wild. (Photo: African Wildlife Detective)

By Farhiya Hussein | 15 Apr 2024

Mwawasi was returning from a routine visit to a local shop when he found himself in the path of the enraged buffalo.

A 60-year-old man has died after a buffalo attacked him in Taita Taveta County on Monday.

Richard Mwawasi, a resident of the Riflot area in Voi town, was attacked at around 7 am in an incident that left him with severe injuries.

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The area police commander, Ibrahim Dafalla, confirmed the incident and further expressed the grim reality of the situation.

"The attack occurred today, and unfortunately, Mwawasi succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment at the Moi County Referral Hospital in Voi," Dafalla stated.

Eyewitnesses who recounted the harrowing moments leading up to the tragedy stated that Mwawasi was returning from a routine visit to a local shop when he found himself in the path of the enraged buffalo.

The attack caught him off guard, leaving him defenceless against the powerful animal. Villagers immediately alerted Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers, who rushed to the scene. In a bid to prevent further harm, they were forced to take drastic action and kill the buffalo responsible for Mwawasi’s death.

The aftermath of the incident has left residents reeling with grief and demanding accountability.

"This tragic event highlights the urgent need for measures to address the escalating human-wildlife conflict situation in our area," remarked Joseph Mwachofi, who echoed the sentiments of many others in the community.

Others added that the loss of Mwawasi is a stark reminder of the ever-present dangers posed by wildlife encroachment on human settlements.

With human lives hanging in the balance, the authorities were urged to prioritise implementing measures to mitigate the risk of similar tragedies in the future.

Alarming statistics reveal that between 2017 and 2020, a total of 388 Kenyans lost their lives due to attacks by wild animals, while nearly 2,100 others suffered injuries.

Reacting to the alarming data, President William Ruto on Friday, April 12, launched a Sh960 million compensation scheme for damages arising from human-wildlife conflict. Ruto, who was speaking at Rumuruti Stadium in Laikipia County, directed the Ministry of Tourism to fast-track compensation of victims within 60 days.

"We have so far compensated Sh4 billion by the end of this compensation today. The others that are pending - almost 7,000 cases that have already been verified - my instruction is that we should compensate those people in the next 60 days," Ruto stated.

"We are addressing the human-wildlife conflict to enhance tourism and guarantee the coexistence of nature and communities adjacent to our parks," he added.

President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua commission the Lariak Forest Wildlife Electric Fence after launchinf the Human-Wildlife Conflict Compensation Scheme in Rumuruti, Laikipia County on Friday, April 12, 2024. (Photo: PCS)

President William Ruto and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, commission the Lariak Forest Wildlife Electric Fence after launching the Human-Wildlife Conflict Compensation Scheme in Rumuruti, Laikipia County, on Friday, April 12, 2024. (Photo: PCS)