Crocodile kills 7-year-old boy while bathing in West Pokot's River Turkwel
The horrific incident prompted a joint search mission involving local villagers, the area chief, and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers.
Residents of Turkwel in West Pokot are gripped by fear and sorrow following the tragic death of a seven-year-old boy, Lingan Lotugh Isaiah, who was attacked and killed by a crocodile while bathing along the banks of River Turkwel.
The horrific incident prompted a joint search mission involving local villagers, the area chief, and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers.
After hours of searching, the boy’s body was found severely mutilated, with his left leg missing.
Witnesses recounted that the crocodile struck just moments after the young boy had undressed and stepped into the water.
The predator quickly dragged him into the deeper parts of the river, leaving the other children screaming helplessly.
"We conducted the search together with the community and local leadership. The body was eventually recovered and is being taken to Kapenguria County Referral Hospital for a post-mortem," said Wilson Ngoriareng, the KWS County Warden.
Ngoriareng described the scene as deeply distressing and added that the boy appeared unaware of the dangerous, swollen sections of the river.
Wilson Ngoriareng of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) confirmed the boy’s body was severely mutilated, with one leg missing.
"The injuries were horrific," he said.
"As KWS, we’re working to promote conservation education to minimize human-wildlife conflict. We urge parents and children to exercise extreme caution near rivers known to harbor crocodiles."
The boy’s father, Lolingacholia Longiriak Akwangan, was at the gold mining site in Kambi Karaya when he received the heartbreaking news.
"I wasn’t there to protect him,” he said, overcome with emotion. "My heart is shattered."
The child’s mother, Chepokugho Longan, was inconsolable at the scene.
The family resides in Kesot sub-location, where many rely on River Turkwel for daily water needs due to the absence of piped water.
The young victim was a Grade One student at Tipet Primary School. Headteacher Johnstone Lochiwo confirmed that the boy had not attended school that day.
"He was playing with other children when tragedy struck," Lochiwo said. "It’s deeply painful to lose someone so young and vibrant. He always had a smile on his face."
River Turkwel has a longstanding reputation for its crocodile presence, which continues to endanger both people and livestock.
With no safer water sources available, locals often have no alternative but to depend on the risky river.
Now, residents are urging the government and relevant authorities to take immediate action to prevent further tragedies.
