Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has urged residents of Ongata Rongai and surrounding areas to to stay vigilant after two lionesses reportedly escaped from Nairobi National Park.
In a statement released on Wednesday January 7, KWS announced that the two lionesses were last seen at Sholinke Trading Area, which approximately 8.3 km from the park boundary.
Sholinke area is located in Kajiado East Sub-County is barely 9 kilometres from the heart of Ongata Rongai.
“Two lionesses from Nairobi National Park have been sighted in the Sholinke Trading Area, approximately 8.3 km from the park boundary. Latest coordinates: 37 M 261961 UTM 9834651. KWS teams are actively managing the situation,” KWS stated.
KWS further confirmed that a team of rangers and veterinary officers are already in the area to capture and take them back to the park.
The service has also urged members of the public to remain calm, avoid the area, keep children indoors, and contact KWS via Toll Free 0800 597 000 or WhatsApp 0726 610 509, in case they spot them.
“KWS rangers are on site and veterinary teams are en route to safely dart, capture, and relocate the lionesses. The operation is ongoing, with public safety as the top priority,” the service assured.
“Members of the public are urged to remain calm, avoid the area, keep children indoors, and report any sightings via Toll Free 0800 597 000 or WhatsApp 0726 610 509,” it added.
Incidents of Lions roaming in residential areas of Ongata Ronga have been common due to Nairobi National Park’s proximity.
In March, 2025, a CCTV footage of a Lioness hunting in an estate in Rongai gripped fear among residents, with a section of Kenyans calling on the Kenya Wildlife Service to intervene and relocate the wild animal back to its habitat.
A similar occurrence was reported in January 2025, after a Lioness ran loose in Rongai, Kajiado County. It was however caught by Rangers after evading their traps for months.
