A sense of grief swept through Kiambu County yesterday after a middle-aged woman was killed by hyenas in Juja South Estate.
Nancy Njoki, a food vendor, was on her way to her kiosk around 6 a.m. when she was attacked by the wild animals, sustaining fatal injuries to her head, torso, and legs. Residents, including Hellen Mukami and Allan Mburu, described her as a dedicated food vendor who worked at construction sites in the village.
The hyenas dragged her into a thicket, where they feasted on her remains.
“We are saddened by this unfortunate tragedy. She was my neighbour and she suffered excruciating pain. The animals feasted on her,” Mukami said.
They said despite crackdowns by the authorities including the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS), the hyenas still roam in the villages reigning terror to the locals.
Serious injuries
The infuriated residents accused local leaders of taking too long to flush out the animals saying “Njoki’s life wouldn’t have been lost if the hyenas were nabbed and repulsed to secluded areas like conservancies.”
“Our leaders ignored our pleas. This is not the first incident as the hyenas killed other people that include children. Others have been left nursing serious injuries. Authorities too must act on this,” she said.
Earlier this year, a 10-year-old boy named Dennis Teya was mauled to death by hyenas in the nearby Gwa Kigwi village. Locals reported that they have also lost livestock to the wild animals. Mukami expressed concerns for the safety of their children with schools set to reopen in two weeks, as they travel to school early in the morning when the hyenas are still roaming the area.
“Our children’s lives are at risk. We demand a KWS camp here and flush these dangerous animals out of our villages. It’s time we end the loss of lives. Hyenas are mostly nocturnal but can attack in the morning,” Mukami said.
Residents noted that the lack of action by investors to refill mined quarries and clear bushes in the vast expanses of land has drawn wild animals to the village. The quarries have become hideouts for the hyenas. Mburu, a local boda boda operator, mentioned that he has spotted the marauding animals on several occasions in the early morning.
