Lions on the Loose: Two Lionesses Escape Nairobi National Park, KWS on High Alert

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has alerted the public after two lionesses were spotted outside Nairobi National Park, urging residents to stay cautious and report any sightings immediately.

 Residents of parts of Kajiado County were placed on high alert after two lionesses escaped from Nairobi National Park, sparking concern over public safety in nearby residential and commercial areas.

According to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the two big cats were spotted in the Sholinke Trading Area near Ongata Rongai, several kilometres from the southern boundary of the park. The sightings prompted an immediate response from KWS rangers, who moved swiftly to track and safely return the animals to their natural habitat.

KWS confirmed that specialised ranger and veterinary teams were deployed to the area to monitor the lionesses, with plans to dart, capture and relocate them back into the park. Authorities emphasised that the operation is being carried out with utmost care to protect both human life and the animals.

Residents in Ongata Rongai, Sholinke and surrounding neighbourhoods were advised to remain calm but vigilant. KWS urged the public to stay indoors, keep children and livestock secure, avoid moving around at night, and report any sightings immediately through official emergency lines.

“No injuries or attacks have been reported so far,” KWS said, adding that the situation remains under control as teams continue tracking the animals.

Wildlife experts note that such incidents are not uncommon, especially along the southern corridor of Nairobi National Park, where rapid urban expansion has increasingly overlapped with traditional wildlife migration routes.

KWS reiterated its commitment to human-wildlife coexistence, calling on residents to cooperate with authorities as efforts continue to safely resolve the situation.

Article by: Babz Abdul-Raheem.
Date: January 8, 2026