Residents of Mavindini Ward in Makueni County are searching for two people feared dead after a crocodile attack at Athi River in Yekanga Sub-location.
The incident occurred on the evening of May 19 at Nzeveni Kwa Letu, where a 35-year-old woman was reportedly attacked while fetching water from the river.
According to local reports, the woman was near the riverbank when the crocodile emerged and dragged her into the water, sparking panic among nearby residents.
Moments later, a 20-year-old man was also attacked after reportedly attempting to rescue the woman from the crocodile.
Witnesses raised the alarm, prompting local authorities and emergency responders to launch a search and rescue operation.
The Kenya Red Cross Society in Makueni confirmed that its emergency response team was activated after receiving a distress call from members of the community.
Search and retrieval efforts resumed on the morning of May 20, with rescue teams deployed to various sections of the river in an attempt to locate the two victims.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) joined the operation alongside local administrators and residents, as authorities intensified efforts to recover the missing persons and prevent further attacks.
Officials have also warned residents against accessing dangerous sections of the river as safety measures are put in place.
The incident has sparked fear among communities living near Athi River, where residents frequently fetch water, wash clothes, and carry out other daily activities.
Local emergency response teams said this is the first crocodile attack reported along Athi River this year, although the river has been linked to previous fatal attacks.
Authorities noted that more than three people reportedly lost their lives in crocodile-related incidents along the same river last year, raising fresh concerns over the safety of communities living near crocodile-infested waters.
The latest attack adds to a growing number of human-wildlife conflict cases reported across the country. In January, KWS killed a crocodile in Turkana following repeated attacks on residents, with experts linking increased crocodile movement to rising water levels in major rivers and water bodies.
