Residents helplessly watch as woman is killed by crocodile on River Tana

Mr Mohamed Jillo speaking to reporters at his house in Malindi ya Ngwena village on an outskirt of Hola town after his wife was killed by a crocodile on River Tana on May 19, 2016. PHOTO | GALGALO BOCHA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • A group of young men harvesting sand a distance from where she was attacked watched helplessly as the deadly huge crocodile swam downstream with the young mother.
  • Residents are now calling Tana River County government to consider procuring rescue boats that would be stationed permanently in the area to help in rescue missions during such incidents.

A woman was killed on Thursday by a crocodile on River Tana as some resudents watched helplessly as the reptile dragged her away deep into the waters.

The reptile attacked the 21-year old mother, Mwanaharusi Halako, as she went to fetch water from the crocodile infested river alone.

A group of young men harvesting sand a distance from where she was attacked watched helplessly as the deadly huge crocodile swam downstream with the young mother.

They frantically shouted in a bid to scare away the reptile, which sometimes works, but failed in the case as the life of the young woman from Mji wa Wazee village was shattered.

Her husband, Ali Mohamed Jillo, rushed into the water to rescue his wife, but he was overwhelmed by the currents and had to swim out as his wife had already disappeared.

“The response was delayed by lack of canoes to help us pursue the crocodile,” said Mr Jillo at his Malindi ya Ngwena home.

He explained that his wife left the house early but he did not know she had gone to fetch water in the river only for him to learn later after the commotion.

Residents are now calling Tana River County government to consider procuring rescue boats that would be stationed permanently in the area to help in rescue missions during such incidents.

Members of the Zubaki Sand Harvesters, a Community Based Organization (CBO), who conduct their business along River Tana said cases of crocodile attacks are frequent.

Later Kenya Wildlife Officers arrived in the area and joined the residents in search of the reptile and its victim using a motor boat acquired from the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS).

The officers shot rubber bullets to scare the crocodile and force it to show up in vain.

Search and hope of finding body still on.