Stray lion gives Kitui residents sleepless nights

Residents of Muumoni in Mwingi North Constituency want the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to immediately contain a lion which been causing them sleepless nights for the last week.

The animal reportedly retreats to the nearby Muumoni hills.

TRAP

Muumoni ward administrator David Kyalo said residents of the area in Kitui County have tried in vain to kill the animal.

"The lion killed a donkey in Kanyoeni village, four cows in Mukong'a, and a goat and another cow in Kanyungu village in Katse area," the Member of County Assembly said.

KWS officer in Mwingi, Mr Paul Langat, said they set a trap to catch the animal but residents said this is not enough, considering the large size of the hill and its bushy nature.

They called for quick intervention by the national government.

Mwingi North MP Paul Nzengu called upon KWS officials to employ all measures possible and contain the lion and safe residents from wanton destruction of property and the risk it is posing to the locals.

Lions have attacked people and animals in counties including Lamu Meru, Tharaka Nithi and Embu.

It is said that invasions in Lamu resulted from the relocation of the animals from Laikipia County to Meru National Park in July.

In Isiolo County last week, a boy aged 14 died after he was attacked by a stray lion at Dadachari.

Isiolo Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) senior warden Peter Mbote said the big cat strayed from Biliko Bulesa Conservancy to his home at around 1am.

The body died while being taken to Isiolo County Referral Hospital.