- A hyena has injured two men in Chemase, Tinderet Sub-County, before being killed in the Kapkuong-Chemalal area, sparking fear among residents and learners.
- Some school-going children have reportedly stayed away from school or avoided routes where the hyena was sighted, raising concerns over disrupted learning.
- Residents have called on wildlife authorities and local administrators to strengthen surveillance, launch public awareness campaigns, and address the issue
Fear has gripped residents of Chemase in Tinderet Sub-County following reported attacks by a hyena that left two men injured before the animal was killed in the Kapkuong-Chemalal area.
The incidents have heightened concern among parents and learners, with some school-going children reportedly staying away from school or becoming reluctant to travel along routes where the hyena was seen. One of the men injured in the attacks is currently receiving treatment at Nandi Hills Sub-County Hospital, according to residents familiar with the incident.
The reported attacks have caused anxiety in the community, particularly among families whose children walk to school in the early morning or return home in the evening, with residents saying the presence of the hyena in areas frequented by people had created a growing sense of insecurity. The situation has also raised concerns about the potential disruption of learning, as fear of encountering the animal could affect school attendance and the ability of learners to move freely within the community.
ALSO READ:
Ksh4 Billion Maseno School project set to replace ageing infrastructure
The hyena was later killed in the Kapkuong-Chemalal area, bringing relief to residents who had been living in fear. However, community members are calling for authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the animal’s movement into populated areas and assess whether there is a broader human-wildlife conflict problem in the region. Residents are urging wildlife authorities and local administrators to strengthen surveillance and response measures in areas where wild animals are frequently sighted, and are calling for public awareness campaigns to educate communities on how to respond when they encounter dangerous wildlife and how to report sightings promptly.
Parents have particularly appealed for measures to guarantee the safety of learners, saying children should not have to choose between their education and personal safety. The incidents have renewed calls for closer cooperation between communities, local administration and wildlife authorities in addressing human-wildlife conflict. While the killing of the hyena has eased immediate fears, residents say a long-term solution is needed to prevent similar incidents and ensure that learners in Chemase can attend school without fear.
Teachers need protection too: Strengthening safety and well-being in the teaching profession
Authorities are expected to provide further information on the incidents and the measures being taken to safeguard residents in the affected areas.
By Our Reporter
Get more stories from our website: Education News
To write to us or offer feedback, you can reach us at: editor@educationnews.co.ke
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
