A couple from Isiolo have described how they almost lost their lives in the jaws of an attacking lion.
Although they were seriously injured in the brutal attack, Michael Apaille and his wife Susan Chebet said they were lucky to survive.
When Apaille saw a lion chasing his wife as she collected firewood in Mairi Nane, he had the option of running for his life and confronting the big cat.
Apaille chose to confront the lion, knowing full well that he was in grave danger.
“I saw a lion charging towards my wife. She started running away in fear. I couldn't bear to see her being attacked by a lion, so I decided to confront the lion. “I made it,” Apaille said. nation At Isiolo Referral Hospital.
The brave Apaille tackled the lion to the ground even though he was being scratched violently by it.
Michael Apaille spoke to the media at Isiolo Referral Hospital, where he and his wife Susan Chebet were admitted after being attacked by a lion.
Photo credit: Wawel Wairimu | Nation Media Group
“The lion overpowered me, wrapped itself around me and dug its front claws into my back,” he said.
All the while, the wife watched from afar, praying that her husband would miraculously survive.
The life-or-death struggle lasted about 20 minutes, and just as Apaille was about to give up, he summoned the strength to ask his wife to throw him the panga he had been chopping wood for.
“She quickly punched the animal twice in the eye,” Apaille said.
Still, the lion refused to let go of the hand that was pinning Apaille's ankle to the ground.
When the wife hit the lion again, the lion turned and scratched her chest. The lion eventually released Apaille as the terrified couple fled for their lives.
Susan Chebet, from Isiolo Referral Hospital, was admitted with her husband Michael Apaille after being attacked by a lion.
Photo credit: Wawel Wairimu | Nation Media Group
Chebet suffered injuries to his chest and legs. The mother-of-two broke down in tears as she recounted their ordeal.
“I'm happy and sad at the same time. I thank God we survived, but I'm worried about our children. Who will take care of them while we are both seriously injured and in the hospital?” ” She posed.
It remains unclear whether the lion, which was apparently smuggled out of the nearby Lewa reserve with a tracking device, died or was injured and escaped.
“We left it on the ground,” the couple said.
Helen Nakutun, a relative of the couple, sought compensation for her family, claiming the Kenya Wildlife Service had failed to secure the national park, leading to repeated human-wildlife conflicts.
“KWS needs to secure the park so no more lives are lost. Sadly, they have allowed the lions to wander into the village,” said philanthropists and elected officials. she said, calling on leaders to help families.
