Multimedia University students on Tuesday, Fenruary 6, morning blocked Magadi Road as they demanded answers from Kenya Wild Services (KWS) after a hyena attacked a comrade on Monday evening.
On Tuesday morning, during the rush hour, chaos erupted as students took to the streets to voice their displeasure with KWS.
The unexpected demonstration left motorists stranded, forcing them to seek alternative routes through Gatanga Road.
Local authorities were yet to arrive at the scene to contain the situation as students, in their hundreds, blocked the road, hurled rocks, and set bonfires along the busy stretch.
The student identified as Kelvin Mwenda, 21 was attacked along Masai Lodge Road, Olekasasi area at around 8 pm.
“Stephen Romo, who is a resident of Olmeut village, rushed to rescue him and sustained very severe injuries. The two are currently at Wama Nursing Home Hospital receiving treatment,” police said in a statement.
The student lost a thump and his right eye.
The two were rushed to the hospital by a KWS van after the incident.
The latest attack comes exactly a month after a pack of hyenas mauled a 10-year-old boy to death in Gwa Kigwi village in Juja, Kiambu
The boy, identified as Dennis Teya, a Grade Four pupil at a local school, was said to have been walking home with his friends when they were attacked by the animals.
According to residents, the boys fled for their lives when they were attacked, only for one of them to be attacked and killed by the wild animals.
KWS has since launched Operation Ondoa Fisi following complaints from people in the area that the wild animals are terrorizing residents, with some responsible for nightmarish attacks on people near human settlements.
Last month, KWS left Kenyans confused while cautioning the public on how to deal with potential hyena attacks.
In a statement on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, KWS said hyenas are generally lazy and prefer scavenging for easy meals, such as dead meat, rather than actively hunting prey.
According to the KWS, hyenas play a crucial role in the ecosystem as scavengers, helping to clean the environment by disposing of discarded bones and debris, thereby preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases.
They also said that hyenas can attack humans incase of a random encounter.
By use of an illustrational graphic, KWS laid out at least seven things one should do incase the dreaded day comes.
First, KWS suggested that one should not run as they risk inviting a chase from the predator. Secondly, they reminded people not to lie down or pretend to be asleep so as not to arouse the animal’s curiosity.
Additionally, at the threat of a hyena attack, Kenyans have also been told to ‘remain calm’, show no fear and in fact, talk to the hyena.
In between standing their ground and walking away while facing the animal, Kenyans were also told to make loud, aggressive noises as a way of feigning an attack.
According to KWS, this is what to do if you encounter a hyena:
- Stop, don’t run. As a predator, it will instinctively chase animals that run away.
- Don’t lie down or pretend to be dead as this will increase the hyena’s curiosity.
- Try not to show your fear, keep yourself calm by talking to it.
- If it growls or giggles, stand your ground -never run away but don’t move any closer.
- Make a loud noise, look aggressive and frightening as if you are going to attack.
- Hyenas are nocturnal animals, so minimize movements at night.
- Don’t move away until the hyena does and when you do continue to face its direction.
