Search operations are ongoing at Lake Naivasha after a boat full of fishermen capsized on Sunday, February 2.
The incident took place in the Kongoni area along the lake in Nakuru County. The boat capsized following a vicious attack by a hippopotamus.
Three of the passengers were rescued by the Kenya Red Cross with one fisherman still missing by the time of publication.
Fishermen and area residents were the first to respond before the Red Cross and police officers later arrived on the scene.
The hippo is considered extremely aggressive and its attacks on small boats can injure or kill passengers.
The group of fishermen had gone out into the lake as usual when the attack happened.
In the month of January alone, four deaths have been attributed to hippos in Lake Naivasha.
On Friday, January 31, a fisherman was killed by a hippo at Karagita landing beach in the area.
The deceased, a foot-fisherman, was accompanied by another fisherman as they laid their nets near the beach when the attack took place.
The attack came barely a week after a Chinese tourist was mauled to death by a hippo near Sopa Lodge during a visit to Lake Naivasha.
Chuang Hun was taking pictures alongside friends at the lake's shores when the hippo attacked.
David Kilo, Chairman of the Lake Naivasha Boat Owners' Association, noted that a rise in water levels at the lake had contributed to the sharp spike in hippo attacks.
“The hippo that attacked the Chinese was seeking pasture near the hotel when the incident occurred and this is not the first time,” he disclosed.
