Mother, daughter hospitalised with severe injuries after Hippo attack in Kirinyaga

The two sustained severe abdominal injuries during the Saturday evening attack, which occurred at around 7:30 p.m. near River Thiba as they were returning home to Gitoboto Village.

The victims, identified as Mary Thandi and her daughter Esther, were reportedly attacked after completing casual work in Kiumbu, where they had also purchased household items.

Speaking from hospital, Thandi recounted how the animal attacked them while two other people accompanying them managed to escape.

"We were going home to Gitoboto Village after casual labour in Kiumbu after buying household items when we encountered the hippo. Two people managed to escape but I and my daughter Esther, 15, were attacked," she said.

Residents who rushed to the scene described a difficult rescue operation, saying they were forced to confront the animal and throw stones at it to free the victims.

"We had a very difficult time fighting the hippo and throwing stones at it after it attacked the two," said resident Hillary Mugweru.

Source: Citizen Digital