'We watched helplessly', woman mourns son killed by crocodile in Makueni

Efforts by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to recover the body of Kenias Mutuku have so far failed, deepening the family’s anguish.

At the family’s home in Kanyonga village, the boy’s mother, Mbatha Ndambuki, is still inconsolable.  

“We watched helplessly as the crocodile took my son away,” Ms Ndambuki recalled.

The mother of eight was among the first at the scene after an alarm was raised. A frenzied attempt by villagers and KWS rangers to rescue the boy was aborted by a hippopotamus scare.

KWS has since set up a metallic trap near the scene in an effort to recover the body, but by Sunday, it had not caught anything.

“It is painful enough to lose a child. It is unbearable to lose the body. KWS should help us find closure by intensifying its efforts,” Ms Ndambuki pleaded.

The Nation established that Kanyonga village had been grappling with a water shortage when tragedy struck.

“A water kiosk at the neighbouring Makaani Township had gone dry for days. Our son was attacked when he went to fetch water. With the breakdown of our community water system, we are torn between thirst and death,” said Jacinta Ndunge, a resident.

Numerous attacks

The crocodile menace along River Athi has persisted for years.

Kikumbulyu Chief Nicholas Mutie said attacks on humans and livestock rise during the dry season when the river becomes the main water source.

According to the Kenya Red Cross, Makueni has recorded fatal crocodile attacks every two months for the last two years. This makes crocodiles deadlier than elephants in the county.

“Crocodile attacks are rampant along River Athi. In the last two years, we have recorded 24 attacks, with 11 fatalities,” said Solomon Musia, the Kenya Red Cross coordinator in Makueni.

He added that children are more vulnerable.

“Records show most of the deaths involve children, while survivors are mainly adults. In most cases, parents send children to fetch water, yet children are less cautious near the river,” Mr Musia said.

The latest attack came barely two months after Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior reinstated Trade and Tourism Executive Sonnia Nzilani, who had been suspended over remarks linking crocodile attacks to menstruation.

Speaking at a previous funeral, Ms Nzilani had claimed women and girls were more prone to crocodile attacks during their monthly periods, a statement that sparked widespread outrage.

“It is not right to stigmatise women by claiming they smell. Such remarks are unfounded and insensitive .When you propagate such myths, you give KWS room to evade responsibility. The law places strict liability on animal attacks,” Governor Kilonzo Jnr said when announcing her suspension at the time.

Fishing banned

Chief Mutie has now banned fishing in River Athi and urged residents to exercise caution when drawing water.

“To fish in River Athi is courting death,” he warned.

The Kenya Red Cross has joined calls for long-term solutions, including safe water access.

“The community should not have to fetch water directly from a crocodile-infested river. They need a source at least two kilometres away,” Mr Musia said.

Governor Kilonzo’s administration has begun pumping water from River Athi to nearby villages to reduce dependence on the dangerous river.

“Makueni County is prioritizing completion of key projects to deliver safe and reliable water closer to communities. These include the Athi–Tunguni–Kilima, Athi–Kalawa, and Athi–Mavindini projects, which are nearing completion,” Mr Kilonzo Jnr said.

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