By Andrew Kariuki
Residents of Kopiata Beach in Rarieda Sub-county, Siaya County, have expressed relief after a crocodile that had long posed a threat to the community was successfully captured by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
According to Siaya County KWS Warden Sheila Ochieng’, the reptile had been terrorizing residents for years, with multiple fatal attacks reported. She revealed that since 2025, at least three people have lost their lives to crocodile attacks at the beach.
In addition to the loss of human life, livestock has also been targeted, heightening fears among residents who depend on the lake and surrounding areas for their livelihoods.
Ochieng’ credited the successful operation to collaboration between KWS officers, local residents, National Government Administration Officers, and the Beach Management Unit (BMU).
She noted that KWS had deployed several traps following a rise in attacks, adding that two crocodiles have now been captured within the past two years as part of ongoing mitigation efforts.
The warden urged residents to remain vigilant and to promptly report crocodile sightings through local leadership structures to enhance response efforts. She also warned communities living near rivers and Lake Victoria to exercise caution, particularly during this rainy season when water levels rise and wildlife activity increases.
Speaking at the scene, East Uyoma location Chief Peter Odongo commended KWS for its swift intervention, noting that the capture had restored a sense of safety in the area.
The operation comes just a day after a tragic incident in neighboring Bondo Sub-county, where a 35 year old woman was killed by a crocodile, underscoring the growing risk posed by wildlife-human conflict in the region.
