Residents of Kopiata Beach in Rarieda Sub-County are breathing a sigh of relief after a rogue crocodile that had terrorised the area for years was finally captured.
According to Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Siaya County Warden Sheila Ochieng’, the reptile had been linked to multiple fatal attacks.
She revealed that at least three people have been killed by crocodiles at the beach since 2025, with several cases of livestock losses also reported.
Years of Fear and Deadly Encounters
The capture follows a series of attacks that left residents living in constant fear while accessing Lake Victoria for fishing and domestic use.
KWS said it had deployed traps in the area after repeated incidents, successfully capturing two rogue crocodiles over the past two years.
“We have lived in fear for too long. Every time we go to the lake, we wonder if we will come back alive,” said Samuel Okoth, a resident.
Joint Effort Leads to Capture
Ochieng’ praised the collaboration between residents, National Government Administration Officers and the Beach Management Unit (BMU), saying their cooperation was key to the successful operation.
She urged locals to remain vigilant and continue reporting crocodile sightings through local leadership channels.
Calls for Compensation
Families affected by the attacks are now calling on the government to compensate them for their losses.
One of the affected residents, Benard Oketch, said the attacks had left families devastated both emotionally and financially.
“We have suffered greatly and deserve support from the authorities. Compensation would help us rebuild our lives,” he said.
Fresh Safety Concerns
The development comes just a day after a 35-year-old woman was killed by a crocodile in neighboring Bondo Sub-County, raising fresh concerns over human-wildlife conflict in the region.
Area Chief, Peter Odongo commended KWS for the swift response, noting that crocodile attacks had become increasingly frequent.
