Thika residents in Kamenu Location, Thika West Sub-County, Kiambu County, have been issued with a health alert by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) regarding the slaughter and consumption of hyenas.
In the morning hours of April 12, around 0800hrs, a hyena was found feeding on dumped poultry remains in Kamenu.
According to the KWS, the residents surrounded the hyena, chased, killed, and slaughtered it before response teams arrived.
“This morning at around 0800hrs, a hyena was found feeding on dumped poultry remains in Kamenu Location, Thika West Sub-County, Kiambu County (near Thika). Residents surrounded the animal, chased, killed, and slaughtered it before response teams arrived,” KWS stated.
In addition, the Wildlife service also started that some of the residents fled the scene with parts of the hyena carcass, including internal organs, upon arrival of the response team.
Following this, the KWS strongly warned the public not to handle or consume any meat from the animal.
Further, the residents were warned that hyenas are scavengers and may carry dangerous diseases such as Rabies, Anthrax, and Brucellosis, as well as foodborne infections such as Salmonella and E. coli.
Despite the health advisory, some of the public have not yet grasped the dangers of consuming meat that has not undergone checks and is not approved for consumption.
According to Jason Kiptoo, the advisory was issued too late, as a family was already cheerful about the father bringing back some meat that was 4kg over the normal 1kg.
On the other hand, some Kenyans expressed genuine concern over the meat products being consumed by the public.
Isaac Kimani noted that the hunting and consumption of the hyena might be the reason hyenas have drastically vanished from his neighborhood, where they were frequently seen.
Also Read: World Mourns Death of Africa’s Last Remaining Super Tusker in Kenya
Recent KWS Poaching Arrests
On April 8, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) stated the arrest of six suspects linked to a donkey slaughter syndicate.
According to the DCI, the KWS intercepted the suspected poaching syndicate in Garissa County by making an ambush along the Garissa–Daadab road at Alango Arba in Fafi Sub-County.
Among those arrested was Ali Idow Yussuf (66), who was found armed with an AK-47 rifle loaded with 13 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
The other suspects were identified as Fuad Hussein Mukhtar (30), the driver; Mahat Diriye Hussein (34); Hassan Jehow Diriye (56); Idle Farah Dagane (52); and Hussein Ibrahim Abdulrahman (45).
In a separate case, four suspects were arrested, and approximately two tonnes of suspected zebra meat were seized by the KWS during an intelligence-led operation in Gikambura, Kiambu County.
During the arrest on February 27, 2026, the wildlife officers reported recovering six sacks of suspected deboned zebra meat, one fully skinned zebra carcass, and 15 frozen meat packages, each weighing approximately 250 grams.
Also Read: KWS Announces Relocation of Nairobi Animal Orphanage
KWS Health Warning
- Do not consume the meat from wild animals.
- Surrender the meat immediately to the relevant authorities.
- Seek immediate medical attention if exposed.
- The killing and consumption of wildlife is illegal and punishable by law.
- Protect your health. Say No to Bush Meat.
