The dismembered remains of a nine-year-old boy, who had been missing for three days, were discovered following a deadly leopard attack in a village located in Maralal, Samburu County.
According to police and officials from the Kenya Wildlife Service, the child disappeared on January 13 while he was on his way to collect water from a nearby stream in Angata Nanyukie village.
His family had instructed him to go to the Leseneto River for water, but he did not return home, prompting a search effort by KWS personnel and local community members.
The search concluded on January 16 when the child’s remains were located in a nearby forest.
It is suspected that the boy succumbed to injuries inflicted by a leopard, which had been reported in the vicinity. Authorities indicated that the remains included bones, while other body parts had been consumed by the animal. The remains were subsequently transported to the local mortuary for autopsy and further examination.
In response to the incident, local residents have expressed their intention to track down and eliminate the wild animals that pose a threat to their safety, despite calls from officials for restraint. Such occurrences are frequently reported in regions adjacent to wildlife parks.
This incident highlights the ongoing issue of human-wildlife conflict, exacerbated by competition for resources.
In April of the previous year, President William Ruto initiated a compensation program for victims of wildlife attacks, aimed at assisting them in recovering their livelihoods and addressing substantial medical expenses.
The program, launched in Laikipia—home to notable species such as elephants, rhinoceroses, and buffaloes—aims to promote peaceful coexistence between local communities and wildlife, as stated by Ruto.
He announced that the compensation amount for fatal wildlife attacks would be increased from Sh200,000 to Sh5 million.
