When Simion Nzaro Chai left home for school, accompanied by his siblings early Tuesday morning, his parents expected to see him back that evening, as had been the norm.
The 14-year-old Grade 7 learner at Watala Comprehensive School in Magarini Sub-County, Kilifi County, had been commuting daily from his homestead in Kambini Village within Magarini Sub-County, to school about seven kilometres away.
On Tuesday evening, his parents grew concerned when Simion did not return, even as his siblings arrived home from school as usual around 5pm.
His father, Jackson Nzaro Chai, questioned his children who had reached home about their brother’s whereabouts, but they also seemed unaware. Mr Nzaro became suspicious and contacted the teachers to ask if they had any information about his son.
He was told that the over 300 pupils at Watala Comprehensive School had been released at around 3.45pm.
At around 6pm, Mr Nzaro alerted neighbours about the matter. They immediately joined him in an overnight search for Simion.
On Wednesday morning, Simion’s remains were recovered in a bush, just a few metres off the route he normally used to and from school. According to police reports, the boy was attacked and killed by a suspected stray lion as he walked home from school.
“We suspect it’s a lion attack based on the footprints we saw at the scene. We’re yet to trace the animal. A multi-agency team of police, DCI, KWS and local administration is on the ground. The matter is under intensive investigation,” said Mr Mwangi.
Simion’s remains were taken to the Malindi Sub-County Hospital mortuary, even as the search for the suspected stray lion continues.
Magarini Deputy County Commissioner Michael Ololtuaa described the incident as unfortunate, calling on members of the public to share any information that would help trace the lion so that it can either be neutralised or returned to Tsavo East National Park, where it is suspected to have come from.
Mr Ololtuaa, who is coordinating the multi-agency team searching for the roaming lion in Watala area and its environs, also advised members of the public to be extra cautious and monitor the movements of their children to avoid further wildlife attacks.
“We suspect it’s an old lion that can’t hunt its natural prey. It might have fled Tsavo East or West and became opportunistic by venturing into Watala village to look for food. It’s unfortunate that life has been lost,” said Mr Ololtuaa.
He added, “The government won’t relent until the lion is traced, taken back to its original habitat, or even neutralised. That’s why I’ve directed our multi-agency team to remain in Watala until the lion is caught.”
For Simion’s family, hope is pegged on the government, especially KWS, to ensure that compensation is made and justice is served for their lastborn child.
Mr Nzaro, a peasant farmer, had high hopes that his son would complete school, further his studies, secure a job, and help lift the family from abject poverty.
“Simion is my thirteenth child and lastborn. He was very bright, and I hoped he would complete school and get a job to help us. Now he’s dead. I am demanding justice for my son,” said Mr Nzaro.
Simion’s mother, Ms Selina Nzaro, could not speak as she was overwhelmed by the pain of losing her lastborn child.
Efforts to get a response on the incident from KWS were futile, as officials declined to comment.
The situation is also affecting learning in the affected villages of Marafa. Teachers say that in recent days they have been forced to release pupils early in the afternoon.
“Instead of releasing them at 3.45pm or 4pm, we now let them go at 3pm. In the morning, they don’t report at 7.30am but rather at 8am or even 8.30am to avoid bumping into wildlife. We’ve also been advising pupils to walk in groups since most routes here are bushy and the population is sparse,” said a teacher who requested to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals.
