By Wamuzi News Ke A tragic incident unfolded at Kopiata Beach in Siaya County on Sunday, January 5, 2025, when a 32-year-old woman, Elizabeth Akinyi Oketch, lost her life after being attacked by a crocodile while fetching water from Lake Victoria.
According to Acting Assistant Chief Esau Oduru, Elizabeth had gone to the lake accompanied by her young daughter. The two were filling six jerrycans with water, and Elizabeth had already filled four when the deadly attack occurred.
Without warning, the crocodile lunged from the water and dragged Elizabeth into the lake. Her terrified daughter, who witnessed the horrifying scene, escaped unharmed and immediately raised an alarm.
Nearby residents rushed to the beach upon hearing her cries for help. Despite their desperate attempts to intervene, they were unable to rescue Elizabeth in time. The attack left the community in shock and mourning.
Local fishermen and members of the public later recovered Elizabeth’s body from the lake. Reports indicated that the victim’s body had sustained severe mutilations from the attack. The remains were taken to the mortuary at Madiany Sub-County Hospital, where a postmortem examination is expected to be conducted.
Chief Oduru emphasized the growing concerns about crocodile attacks in the area, urging residents to exercise caution when accessing water sources near Lake Victoria. This incident has reignited calls for enhanced safety measures and government intervention to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts along the lake’s shores.
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