Moses Kuria Promises Compensation to Family of Hyena Attack Victim in Juja

State House Senior Advisor Moses Kuria on Sunday visited the bereaved family of a four-year-old boy who fell victim to a fatal hyena attack in Juja.

During his visit, Kuria pledged to personally oversee the compensation process for the grieving family, assuring them of restitution within a six-month timeframe. He emphasized the unprecedented nature of this attack, stating that there had been no prior record of human-animal conflict in the area. However, this claim appears to contradict reports of several hyena attacks in the region in recent years. Kuria has proposed a multifaceted approach to address the escalating wildlife threat.

‘’This incident represents a new and disturbing trend as there has been no previous record of human-animal conflict in the area. Historically, hyenas and humans in this area coexisted peacefully,’’ says Kuria.

He calls upon the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to shut down illegal mining sites and quarries, which he believes provide sanctuary for hyenas and exacerbate human-wildlife conflicts. Additionally, he urges the Kiambu County Government to revoke licenses and decommission abandoned quarries to mitigate the menace. The senior advisor also advocates for the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) to relocate the hyenas to remote areas, aiming to safeguard residents from future attacks.

According to Kuria, the region has witnessed eight fatalities and three injuries attributed to hyena attacks since 2017. This alarming statistic has prompted a strong reaction from the local community. In a demonstration of their frustration and fear, angry residents of Juja blocked Thika Road, causing significant traffic disruptions and necessitating police intervention to disperse the crowd. In response to the growing concerns, the Kenya Wildlife Service has launched "Operation Ondoa Fisi-2" to capture and relocate the hyenas.

The operation, which commenced in August 2024, has already resulted in the capture and relocation of 38 hyenas and the sealing of 12 quarries that served as hideouts for the animals. KWS has also issued directives to residents, urging them to limit their nighttime movements and properly dispose of waste to avoid attracting hyenas.