9-year-old boy mauled to death by hyenas in Juja

Shock has hit Nyacaba village in Juja, Kiambu County, after a clan of hyenas mauled a nine-year-old baby to death.

The Grade 3 pupil at a private school in the village was reported missing on Thursday evening, only for his clothes to be found in a nearby bush on Saturday, September 3.

According to Gideon Nderitu, a resident, Njoroge Mariga disappeared from home while his mother who is a medical officer, was away at work. 

His clothes were found by quarry workers who were reporting to work early Saturday morning.

Mary Muthoni and Bishop Martin Mwaura, other residents of the area said they now fear venturing out at night for fear of hyena attacks. 

They said three hyenas had been spotted in the village, heightening the risk of another fatal attack. The residents are now calling on the Kenya Wildlife Services to capture the hyenas. 

The mauling to death of the child comes just a few months after a 35-year-old man from the neighbouring Athi village was killed by a cackle of eight hyenas.

Earlier, two people had been attacked at Witeithie village in Juja.

Last year, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations cautioned Juja and Thika residents of the marauding beasts whose habitat is around the area.