A 25-year-old man tragically lost his life to a crocodile in Kendu Bay, Lake Victoria. According to police reports, Ezekiel Ondieki had gone to the lakeshore at Achuodho beach to fetch water and bathe when the crocodile attacked him. Witnesses attempted to rescue him, but their efforts were in vain as the animal dragged his body into the water.
Officials from the Kenya Wildlife Service arrived at the scene to assist local residents in retrieving Ondieki’s body, initiating a recovery operation that extended into the night on Thursday, January 22. After successfully recovering the body, they transported it to the mortuary and advised the grieving family to pursue compensation. This recommendation comes in light of the government’s compensation scheme, designed to address the increasing incidents of human-wildlife conflict.
In May 2025, Kenya launched the third phase of its Human–Wildlife Conflict Compensation Programme, which aims to tackle these distressing occurrences and provide support to affected families.
In a separate incident, a 64-year-old man lost his life when a quarry collapsed in Giatumbi village, Kinyaga, Kirinyaga County. Another worker sustained injuries during the Thursday collapse and was promptly rushed to the hospital, according to police reports. Phillip Njagaru Kariuki, the deceased, was trapped beneath sand debris along with his colleague, who fortunately survived and received medical attention.
As rescue teams worked diligently, a crowd gathered at the site to witness the efforts. Following the recovery, the body was transferred to the mortuary, pending an autopsy and further procedures.
Additionally, in Maua, Igembe, Meru County, a man sustained gunshot wounds during an attempted robbery. The victim had just returned home with his wife, who exited the vehicle to open the gate. At that moment, a group of gunmen emerged from nearby foliage, shooting the victim in the right thigh and finger. Remarkably, the gang of approximately six men fled without stealing anything.
Police promptly arrived at the scene and confirmed that the victim had been taken to the hospital, where he is currently in stable condition. Authorities continue to pursue the suspects involved in this alarming incident.
