A headteacher was on Wednesday, March 24, involved in an accident that was caused by a hippopotamus crossing the road in Nakuru County.
The head of Kongoni Primary school was travelling along the Moi South Lake Road to prepare for day three of the KCPE examinations when the crash occurred.
According to eyewitnesses, a pick-up was travelling in the opposite direction when it hit the rogue hippo forcing it to swerve onto the incoming traffic's lane.
The headteacher who had one passenger collided with the pick-up. Passers-by rushed to the scene to help the injured.
Both vehicles were extensively damaged in the crash with the casualties being taken to Naivasha Sub-county hospital for emergency treatment.
At the same time, officers from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) took away the carcass of the dead animal from the scene of the accident.
The residents were chagrined urging the officers to allow them to feast on the animal's remains.
Wild animals straying along the Nairobi- Nakuru highway, Naivasha-Mai Mahiu and Moi South Lake roads have become common with rising cases posing a threat to motorists.
The increase was caused by the closure of wildlife migration corridors and the fencing of ranches.
In a previous interview, Chairman of Lake Naivasha Boat Owners Association David Kilo stated the number of wildlife seeking pasture on the roads had continued to increase, with hippos and zebras been the most common.
Kilo noted that the riparian land around the lake had been fenced off leading to a shortage of pasture for wild animals.
“We have also seen wildlife corridors around the lake blocked by investors and this has pushed the animals to the highways leading to an increase in road accidents,” he stated.
In some cases, vehicles collide with animals and in other instances drivers swerve to avoid them, causing accidents.
