The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has warned Thika residents against handling or eating meat from a hyena killed by locals. The incident happened on Saturday morning in Kamenu Location, Thika West Sub-County, Kiambu County. KWS noted the hyena was scavenging on dumped poultry remains.
On Saturday morning, a hyena was spotted feeding on dumped poultry remains in Kamenu Location, Thika West Sub-County, Kiambu County, near Thika. Residents surrounded the animal, chased it down, killed it, and slaughtered it before KWS response teams could arrive. People then fled with the meat, including internal organs.
In a statement on Saturday, KWS said, “A hyena was found feeding on dumped poultry remains in Kamenu Location, Thika West Sub-County, Kiambu County (near Thika). The animal was surrounded by residents, chased, killed, and slaughtered before response teams arrived.” The agency strongly warned the public not to handle or consume the meat and urged them to surrender it to authorities such as police stations.
Public health officials note that hyenas, as scavengers, carry dangerous diseases including Rabies, Anthrax, Brucellosis, Salmonella infection, and E. coli. KWS advised anyone possibly exposed to seek urgent medical attention and to report wildlife sightings promptly.
Capturing, killing, or consuming wildlife like hyenas is illegal poaching under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act. Penalties include fines exceeding Ksh 20 million or life imprisonment.