Analysis: A Science-Based Perspective on Makueni’s debate

By Anchor Writers

The Makueni County government’s pronounced caution to women from fetching water from River Athi during their menstrual periods has sparked widespread debate.

It does not matter that the  Trade and Tourism County Minister Sonia Nzilani,  has since retracted her caution under a barrage of criticism by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr and a retinue of Makueni women leaders.

However, a closer examination of scientific evidence raises questions about the validity of this claim and the potential motives behind the ban.

Scientific Perspective

Research on animal olfactory systems, including crocodiles, reveals that many species are highly sensitive to chemical cues in their environment.

Crocodiles have acute sensory systems, particularly their ability to detect vibrations and chemical signals in water. However, there is little scientific evidence to support the claim that crocodiles are specifically attracted to menstrual blood.

Comparison to Other Predators

Studies on terrestrial predators, such as lions and sharks, show that some species can detect blood but are not disproportionately attracted to menstrual blood compared to other blood sources. Sharks, for instance, can detect minute quantities of blood in water but are not uniquely drawn to menstrual blood over fish or mammalian blood.

Similarly, there is no concrete evidence to suggest that crocodiles differentiate menstrual blood from other organic scents in the water.

Behavioral Patterns of Crocodiles

Crocodiles are opportunistic predators that primarily attack based on proximity and movement rather than scent alone.

Most crocodile attacks occur near water sources where humans and livestock frequent, often because of the animal’s territorial nature or mistaken identity during hunting. The likelihood of an attack is more influenced by environmental factors, such as drought, which increases human-wildlife interactions near rivers, rather than specific biological scents.

Potential Motives

The minister’s announcement coincides with the tragic death of a 17-year-old girl who was attacked by a crocodile while fetching water. While the stated intent of the ban is to protect women, it is essential to consider other potential motives:

1. Deflection from Broader Issues:
   The tragedy highlights larger systemic issues such as water scarcity, lack of safe water access, and insufficient crocodile control measures. By attributing the attacks to menstrual blood, the government may be attempting to shift focus away from these infrastructural challenges.
2. Cultural and Societal Influences:
   Menstrual taboos remain deeply rooted in many communities, often leading to restrictions on women’s participation in various activities. The ban could inadvertently perpetuate stigma around menstruation, framing it as a danger rather than a natural biological process.
3. Public Safety and Community Trust:
   The decision may also be a response to public pressure to take immediate action following the crocodile attack. While well-intentioned, the ban may lack scientific basis and fail to address the root causes of such incidents.

Broader Implications

While protecting lives is a priority, the ban risks stigmatizing women and ignoring the real drivers of crocodile attacks.

For Makueni leadership, including Mutula, addressing water scarcity, ensuring safer water-fetching alternatives, and implementing crocodile control measures would offer more sustainable solutions. Furthermore, public education campaigns should focus on dispelling myths and fostering informed discussions about menstruation and wildlife interactions.

The claim that crocodiles are attracted to menstrual blood lacks scientific backing and may stem from cultural misconceptions rather than evidence-based reasoning.

While the minister’s intentions may be rooted in public safety, the ban raises critical questions about the role of science in policymaking and the need to address deeper societal and infrastructural challenges.

The claim that crocodiles are specifically attracted to menstrual blood lacks scientific support. While certain predators, such as sharks, have a keen sense of smell and can detect blood in the water, there is no conclusive evidence to suggest that menstruation increases the risk of shark attacks.  Similarly, studies on terrestrial predators like bears have found no link between menstruation and increased attacks.

Regarding crocodiles, their attacks on humans are generally opportunistic and influenced by factors such as proximity to water, human activities near their habitat, and environmental conditions.

For instance, in Kenya, the expansion of lakes due to heavy rainfall has led to increased human-crocodile encounters, as rising waters bring crocodiles closer to human settlements.  Additionally, a study focusing on human-crocodile conflict in the lower Zambezi valley found that most attacks occurred during activities like canoe fishing, where individuals are in close proximity to crocodile habitats.

Therefore, attributing crocodile attacks to the scent of menstrual blood is not supported by scientific evidence. The risk of attack is more closely associated with specific activities and environmental factors that increase human-crocodile interactions.