It is not the first time that, during the rainy season, in the immediate hinterland we see hippos not only in the rivers or on their sandy shores, but also wandering around the mainland, thanks to the humidity and the little sun which does not affect the health of their skin.
In these days many "free-legged" hippos have been found in several villages in the area of the Sabaki River and some farmers complain about the destruction of their wheat or banana crop.
For this reason the Malindi headquarters of the Kenya Wildlife Service has officially warned the citizens.
"Hippos have an important role in the ecosystem of the Kenyan coast and in the rivers, where even their excrements are useful for the life of fish and plants," explains the KWS through a pamphlet, warning citizens, "but they are also among the most dangerous animals for humans around. Hippos defend their territory and become aggressive with those who do not respect their spaces".
A little over a year ago an Italian pensioner on holiday in Kenya was killed by an incompetent specimen after he got too close to it on a hike at the mouth of the Sabaki River. Other similar episodes happened in the Rift Valley lakes with tourists who wanted to photograph them or take a selfie.
"You have to be able to recognize their habits - explains the KWS - The classic hippopotamus yawning, for example, is a warning signal that means that you are getting too close to his territory. The hippopotamus, despite its size, is a very fast animal so it is almost useless to run away, better to try to hide or climb to a high point where it can hardly reach you".
For those who go just outside the town and generally from the coastal area where there are waterways or lakes, even not of big dimensions, in this period it is advisable to be very careful.