As the effects of climate change spread worldwide, rising lake levels in Kisumu County have resulted in farmland destruction and displacement, as well as an increased risk of attacks by crocodiles and hippos searching for pasture.
The Ministry of Tourism reports that because of changes brought on by climate change, compensation claims resulting from human-wildlife conflict reached a record Ksh—1.5 billion in 2023.
In Kamnwa village, West Nyakach ward, Kisumu County, 49-year-old George Ochieng's homestead is still haunted by grief.
“Mtoto wangu alikuwa amepeleka ngombe kunywa maji...ilikuwa kitu kama saa sita hivi mchana...ndiposa akavamiwa na huyo mnyama akauwawa,” recalls Mr. Ochieng.
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The only physical memory of dreams interrupted by the roving hippos that terrorized Kamnwa village is a portrait he holds in his hand.
“Alikuwa Class 8, alikuwa anafaa kusit hii mwaka apate results...na huyo mtoto was index one in their school...nilikuwa naamini angeenda shule kubwa,” he adds.
48-year-old Meshack Onyango tells how he almost met his demise meters away.
What Meshack had assumed to be a routine check-up of his cow shed at around 10 p.m. in February 2023 turned out to be a violent encounter that nearly cost him his life.
“Kutembea namna hii nikaona tu hippo moja...kujaribu kuifukuza kumbe mtoto wake ilikuwa upande moja...baadaye akaniuma tumbo mara ikatoka nikaanguka nikaanza kupiga kelele...kwa bahati mbaya ama mzuri kulikuwa na fence ingine ile side akatoroka,” he says.
Despite his good fortune, Meshack cannot farm due to a dislocated shoulder and an invasive wound still healing. As a result, he sold all of his cows to provide for his family.
