This archive report was first published on 7 August 2019.
On August 1, 2019, a Kenyan tourist and her guides approached Mt. Kenya through the Chogoria gate, aiming to reach the summit. However, a change in route led them astray, and they found themselves face-to-face with a herd of elephants.
After the encounter, the group missed their trail and ended up in a valley south of Thegu river, high up in the bamboo zone. One of the guides fell victim to mountain sickness, rendering him unable to walk without assistance.
On August 6, 2019, the group called for help, prompting a Kenya Wildlife Service rescue team to swing into action. Led by George Ombuki, the team used a KWS chopper to evacuate the tourist and her guides from the mountain thicket.
The porter who suffered from mountain sickness is responding well to medication.
