KWS issues warning over increase in crocodile population

People living along rivers in Migori County have been asked to be careful, as there is an increase in the population of crocodiles in the rivers, the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) has said.

Mary Mayene, KWS Director in charge of Migori, Homabay, Kisii and Nyamira counties, said that many crocodiles have moved from lakes to rivers, posing a danger to locals living along the rivers.

Ms Mayene urged the residents to stop bathing and washing their clothes in the rivers to avoid attacks by the crocodiles.

She added that it was unfortunate that many people have lost their lives after being attacked by the crocodiles and hippopotamus in some parts of Nyatike sub county, but challenged the locals to be careful when going about their activities in the water bodies to avoid such attacks.

The KWS official further urged locals to report attacks by wild animals to KWS offices in Migori.

Nyatike Sub County residents have reported attacks by crocodiles and hippopotamuses that have left several people dead and many with disabilities in the area that borders Lake Victoria.

The residents claim that they have reported such cases to the KWS, and blamed officials for slow response.

By George Juma