Multimedia University students stage protests after comrade was attacked by hyena

By , K24 Digital
On Tue, 6 Feb, 2024 11:10 | < 1 min read
Multimedia University students stage protests after comrade was attacked by hyena
The hyena attacked one of the students on Monday evening, sparking an angry reaction from the student community. PHOTOS/Screengrabs by K24 Digital

Traffic along Magadi Road in Ongata Rongai was paralysed for the better part of Tuesday morning after Multimedia University students took to the streets to protest against marauding hyenas.

A hyena is reported to have attacked one of the students on Monday evening, sparking an angry reaction from the student community.

The students barricaded the busy road with burning tyres and stones as they demanded answers from Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) on their safety.

Student mauled

Kelvin Mwenda, 21, was attacked by a hyena at 8 pm while walking along Maasai Lodge road.

The animal also inflicted serious injuries on one of the residents who rushed to rescue the victim.

The two were rescued and rushed to Wama Nursing Home Hospital for treatment.

The incident comes amid rising concerns about hyena attacks, especially in the Juja area of Kiambu County, where the animals have claimed several lives.

Last month, a section of Kiambu leaders asked the Senate to summon KWS officials over deaths reported in Witeithie Ward in Juja.

Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa asked members of the Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources to conduct an inquiry into the rising cases of hyena attacks amid claims that KWS had failed to address complaints from the residents.

“Recommend long-lasting measures to address the ongoing attacks which pose a significant threat to the safety and well-being of residents of Kiambu County,” Senator Thang’wa told the committee.

The lawmaker also asked KWS to clarify whether there were plans to compensate the families of the victims.