Stray lions roaming Laikipia villages leave residents in fear

Residents of Salama and Ngobit wards in Laikipia County have urged the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to contain stray lions that have been spotted there.

The locals said that they are living in fear of encountering the wild cats which have been spotted in various parts of the two neighbouring wards.

On Monday morning, early risers spotted five lions in Solio, Laikipia East.

According to the residents, the three adult cats and two cubs had earlier been spotted roaming in various villages in Salama Ward, Laikipia West Constituency, on Saturday and Sunday.

RESTRICTED MOVEMENT

Mr Simon Mwangi, a resident of Salama, said that residents of the villages where the lions were spotted have since restricted their movements.

“On Saturday the wild animals were spotted by residents near ADC Mutara Conservancy. We have been forced to remain indoors from 5pm in order to be safe from the lions that mostly roam from sunset until early morning,” said Mr Mwangi.

Mr Joseph Wagura, a resident of Ngobit, said the lions, which are suspected to have strayed from Solio Conservancy, were spotted by early risers on Monday. The animals were resting on the Ngobit-Solio-Nyeri road.

CALL FOR ACTION

“Some residents who were going to work spotted a pride of five lions at the Ngobit-Solio-Nyeri junction between 5.30am and 7am," he said.

Residents have since called for the capture of the animals, which are a threat to human lives.

“We are calling on KWS to act with speed as our schoolgoing children are staring at danger,” said Ms Mary Njeri.

Laikipia County Senior KWS Warden Jacob Orahle said that rangers will be mobilised to track down the animals which are suspected to have strayed from Solio Conservancy.

“The animals usually stray from Solio Conservancy. Action will be taken and a team will be mobilised to drive back the animals into the conservancy,” said Mr Orahle.

The senior warden, at the same time, called for support from the public in tracking down the animals.