DROUGHT-STRICKEN HYENA SEEKS WATER AT QARA HEALTH CENTRE

 By Ahmed Salat Ali AARAN TV KE 

Residents of Qara open a tap at a safe distance as a thirsty hyena drinks within the health centre compound at night in Wajir West.

Residents of Qara in Wajir West were met with an unusual sight this week when a visibly weak hyena wandered into the compound of Qara Health Centre at night in search of water.

The animal, believed to have strayed from nearby grazing fields, appeared exhausted and dehydrated as it moved around the facility under the cover of darkness. Witnesses said it posed no immediate threat but seemed driven purely by thirst as the region continues to grapple with a prolonged drought.

“We were shocked to see a hyena within the health centre compound at night,” said one resident. “But when we looked at it closely, it was clear the animal was only looking for water. It was weak and restless.”

North Eastern Kenya has been experiencing severe dry conditions, with water sources drying up and pasture diminishing rapidly. The worsening drought has not only affected households and livestock but is now pushing wildlife closer to human settlements.

Another resident described how the community responded. 

“We did not chase it away. Instead, we opened a tap and let the water run while we watched from a safe distance. The hyena drank calmly as we observed from afar. It was a rare and emotional moment.”

Community members say such incidents could become more frequent if the drought persists. With shrinking water points and grazing land, experts warn that human-wildlife encounters may increase, heightening the risk of conflict.

Local leaders are now appealing to both county and national authorities to step up drought mitigation measures.

“We urgently need sustainable water solutions, not only for people and livestock but also to reduce wildlife intrusion into our settlements,” a community elder said. “When water and pasture disappear, desperation affects every living thing.”

Residents have also called for wildlife authorities and county disaster management teams to assess the situation and support efforts aimed at preventing potential conflict.

While the appearance of the hyena raised concern, many in Qara say the incident demonstrated the community’s compassion even in hardship.

“In times like these, survival becomes a shared struggle,” one resident reflected. “What we witnessed was not danger, but a reminder that drought spares no one.”