Kiangati residents demand action after hippo turns homestead into sleeping ground

For nearly a month, the hippo has been leaving River Thiba every evening and making its way into the compound of Francis Nyamu, where it spends the night before returning to the river at dawn.

"The hippo has marked my gate. Every evening at around 8pm it comes and sleeps here," Nyamu said.

Residents say the animal's unusual behaviour has disrupted life in the village, forcing people to return home before dark for fear of encountering it.

"Even those who stay late in Ngurubani town now go home early because of fear," said resident Elijah Warui.

According to residents, the hippo is among several that have been straying from River Thiba into nearby villages, destroying crops, killing livestock and posing a growing threat to human life.

Nyamu said repeated invasions have made farming increasingly difficult.

"We cannot grow rice on my five-acre piece of land because it will be destroyed. You can see the destruction yourself," he said.

Residents living along the river say they have suffered significant losses, with rice farms and other crops repeatedly damaged by the animals.

Parents have also expressed concern over the safety of children who use paths near River Thiba to get to school.

"Our children go to Kiamanyeki and Ngurubani primary and secondary schools very early, passing through this river. We are living in fear," said Mercy Muthoni.

Residents said KWS officers responded on Tuesday after the hippo was found sleeping in Nyamu's compound but only fired warning shots before driving it back into the river.

The residents are now urging KWS to relocate the hippos and implement long-term measures to address recurring human-wildlife conflict along River Thiba before more lives are put at risk.