On Sunday morning, Ms Elba Abdi left her home in Mpeketoni, Lamu County, to cut building poles in a nearby thicket about 50 metres away accompanied by her grandchildren.
Ms Abdi, 54, was focused on her task when a hyena suddenly emerged from the bushes and charged at the children.
Without hesitation, she threw her machete at the animal and used her body to shield the youngsters. Diverted from its initial target, the hyena turned on her, mauling her viciously.
As the children screamed and fled towards home, the commotion drew the attention of neighbours who, while armed with crude weapons, overpowered the hyena and killed it.
She suffered severe injuries to her legs, arms, chest, and ribs and is currently recovering from her injuries at Mpeketoni Sub-County Hospital. Her courageous actions were hailed as heroic, as she put herself between the beast and her grandchildren, aged four and six.
The incident has sparked fresh outrage over the growing threat of human-wildlife conflict in the region.
Elba’s husband Abdi Barissa said: “It is unfortunate that my wife is critically injured. She has serious injuries almost everywhere on her body.” He has urged the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to compensate his wife.
“I thank Allah that my grandchildren escaped unhurt. They were the hyena’s target but my wife bravely intervened before it turned on her. I pray for her quick recovery,” he added.
Mpeketoni community rights activist Wanyoike Kimani Kimwa criticised KWS for failing to address the persistent threat of roaming wildlife in Lamu, which he says endangers the lives and livelihoods of local residents.
A section of the Mpeketoni Sub-County Hospital Accident and Emergency wing.
Photo credit: Kalume Kazungu | Nation Media Group
He said many areas in Lamu frequently experience human-wildlife conflicts without sufficient action from relevant agencies. These include parts of Mpeketoni, Hindi, Manda Island, Witu and Faza.
“Residents have often pleaded with KWS to contain their animals, but nothing has been done. We have had incidents of hyenas and lions invading homesteads in search of food and water. People's livestock have been killed by wildlife, and crops destroyed,” said Mr Kimwa.
Lamu County KWS Assistant Director Ibrahim Ahmed confirmed said his officers had already assessed the scene. He advised the victim’s family to obtain a full medical report and proper documentation from the hospital to support their compensation claim.
Mr Ahmed acknowledged that delays in compensation often result from incomplete or late documentation.
“We are actively following up on the case. People should always report such incidents to my office promptly. We provide special forms to fill out and sign. These should be submitted along with medical reports for assessment, approval and compensation,” he said.
He further warned residents against encroaching on wildlife habitats saying such actions increase the frequency of attacks.
“We are doing our best at KWS to contain wildlife. As I’ve always advised, people must stop destroying forests and bushes to create farms and settlements. Such actions force wild animals into human spaces, leading to more conflicts,” Mr Ahmed added.
