A tragic incident has occurred in Kenya’s Turkana County where a teenage boy lost his life after being attacked by a crocodile while bathing in the River Turkwel. The incident took place in the early hours of the morning as the boy, identified by local authorities as 15-year-old Lojore Ekaru, went down to the river near his home in the Kalemunyang area, as he had done on many previous occasions.
According to eyewitnesses, the boy was accompanied by a group of friends who were also using the river to wash and cool off from the day’s rising heat. The calm and routine activity quickly turned into a nightmare when a large crocodile emerged suddenly from the water and lunged at the teenager. Panic ensued as the other boys scrambled out of the water, screaming for help. Despite their attempts to intervene and shout for nearby adults, the crocodile dragged the boy beneath the surface before disappearing downstream.
Local residents and members of the community, upon hearing the commotion, rushed to the riverbanks and launched a search for the boy. A recovery effort was initiated, with help from local authorities, including Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officials. After several hours of combing the river, the lifeless body of the boy was retrieved, bearing clear signs of a crocodile attack. The remains were taken to the Lodwar County Referral Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examination and further investigation.
The death of the boy has left the Kalemunyang community in deep shock and mourning. Family members described him as a bright and hardworking student who had recently completed his primary school exams and was awaiting placement into secondary school. His sudden and violent death has sparked renewed fears among residents living near the river, many of whom rely on it for daily water needs, fishing, and bathing, despite the known dangers posed by crocodiles in the region.
Community leaders and elders have called on the government and wildlife authorities to take immediate action to prevent further loss of life. They are urging Kenya Wildlife Service to increase surveillance along the River Turkwel, conduct public awareness campaigns about the risks, and relocate aggressive crocodiles where possible. Some residents have also appealed for the construction of safer water access points, such as boreholes or protected water stations, to reduce dependence on the river.
In response, KWS officials acknowledged the growing concerns and reiterated their commitment to safeguarding both human and wildlife interests. They confirmed that crocodile populations in River Turkwel have been increasing due to favorable environmental conditions, and that similar attacks have been reported in the past, although not always fatal. The agency has deployed wildlife rangers to monitor the area and conduct further assessments of crocodile behavior along that section of the river.
The incident has also reignited broader debates over human-wildlife conflict in rural parts of Kenya, where communities often live in close proximity to dangerous animals. Experts argue that climate change, shrinking water sources, and habitat encroachment have increased encounters between people and wild animals. In regions like Turkana, where resources are scarce and infrastructure is underdeveloped, the risks are especially high for vulnerable groups such as children and pastoralists.
Meanwhile, grief continues to weigh heavily on the family of the deceased boy. Relatives, neighbors, and friends gathered at their homestead to pay their respects, with traditional mourning rituals taking place to honor his memory. Many spoke of the need for better support for rural families who bear the brunt of such tragedies, including counseling, compensation, and long-term solutions to reduce risk.
As the community prepares for burial arrangements, the incident remains a sobering reminder of the dangers lurking in some of Kenya’s natural water bodies and the urgent need for a coordinated approach to managing wildlife while protecting the livelihoods and safety of local residents.
