BY : PENNINAH MUCHIRI

A 35-year-old woman and her 15-year-old daughter have been hospitalised with severe abdominal injuries after being attacked by a hippopotamus in Kiumbu Village, Mwea, Kirinyaga County.

The incident occurred on Saturday evening, October 10, 2026, at around 7:30 p.m. near River Thiba as the two were returning home to Gitoboto Village after casual work and shopping.

The victims, identified as Mary Thandi and her daughter Esther, were walking with two other people when they encountered the animal. The two companions managed to escape, but the mother and daughter were attacked.

Residents rushed to the scene and tried to rescue the victims by throwing stones at the hippo.

The two were first taken to Kimbimbi Dispensary for first aid before being transferred to Kerugoya Referral Hospital for specialised treatment. Health worker Grace Kihara said Esther sustained more serious injuries than her mother and was taken to the hospital first.

The attack has raised fresh concerns among residents over the increasing cases of human-wildlife conflict along River Thiba.

Residents reported several previous hippo attacks in the area, including one in May that claimed the life of a local man, Fredrick Warui.

Locals have called on the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to take urgent action to protect communities living near the river. KWS officers from Embu visited the scene on Saturday night and said efforts would be made to trace the animal.

Residents are now urging authorities to find a lasting solution to the problem and prevent further attacks.