Search for the marauding lion that killed a woman, still on

Kenya Wildlife Service rangers and employees of a private ranch have intensified search for a male lion that killed a 58-year-old woman in Nyahururu district.

The lion had mauled Martha Nduta at Rubere village last Friday causing panic among the residents.

Laikipia West police boss, Francio Nyamatari said workers at Laikipia Nature Conservancy had teamed up with KWS rangers to hunt down and kill the lion.

The lion allegedly killed before dragging the hapless woman from her homestead to the conservancy where it ate every piece leaving behind a skull and a few bones.

Relatives identified the dead woman from her ripped clothes and a shoe found at the scene of the incident that left residents shocked.

The man-eater then vanished back into the 46-Kilometre square Laikipia Nature Conservancy as Kenya Wildlife Service rangers and other security personnel from other forces mounted a futile search during the night.

Mr Nyamatari said KWS, assisted by a contingent of armed security personnel would continue with the search to track down the lion described by locals as dangerous.

Meanwhile, residents of Mwenje in Kinamba division held a peaceful demonstration demanding for a decisive action to be taken against the rogue animals.

“We know the wild animals belong to the government while the sanctuary is privately owned. But when we are injured, killed and our farm produce destroyed we seek compensation from the government. Why does the owner receive cash from tourists visiting the sanctuary?” said a resident as he waved twigs.

The residents said incidents of elephants invading farms had become rife and called on the government to seek a permanent solution to the menace.

The sanctuary has a round the clock electric fence but it is often destroyed by jumbos seeking a way out to invade farms.

Mr Nyamatari said the skull was taken to Nyahururu District Hospital Mortuary for preservation.