Two stray lionesses safely returned to Nairobi National Park

Residents of Ongata Rongai and surrounding areas can now breathe a sigh of relief after two lionesses that had strayed out of Nairobi National Park and were spotted near Sholinke Trading Centre in Kajiado County were returned successfully.

In an update on Thursday, Kenya Wildlife Service said the two big cats were returned after technological assistance in tracking them.

"The two lionesses earlier sighted outside Nairobi National Park have been successfully tracked using the EarthRanger system and safely guided back into the park by KWS patrol teams during the night," KWS said, adding that the situation is fully under control.

The public may safely go on with their normal activities.

KWS thanked members of the public for their calmness, cooperation, and timely reporting, which greatly supported the safe resolution of the incident and ensured the protection of both people and wildlife.

"This outcome highlights that conservation is a shared responsibility."

This development is a major relief to residents of Ongata Rongai and surrounding areas who had been placed on high alert on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, KWS alerted that the big cats had last been seen about 8.3 kilometres from the park boundary, an area that lies less than 10 kilometres from the heart of Ongata Rongai.

It had stated that the coordinates where the lionesses were sighted were 37 M 261961 UTM 9834651.

KWS deployed teams of rangers to the area, with veterinary officers to safely capture and return the animals to the park.

“Two lionesses from Nairobi National Park have been sighted in the Sholinke Trading Area, approximately 8.3 km from the park boundary. KWS teams are actively managing the situation,” KWS said.

Top on KWS's plan was to safely dart, capture, and relocate the lionesses, according to the statement.

However, KWS's advisory urging members of the public to remain calm, avoid the area, keep children indoors, and report any sightings via Toll Free 0800 597 000 or WhatsApp 0726 610 509 was met with online laughter with adults questioning an emphasis on children being kept indoors.

The latest incident adds to a growing list of human–wildlife encounters around Nairobi and its outskirts, particularly in Rongai, which borders wildlife corridors linked to Nairobi National Park.

In recent years, residents have reported sightings of lions and hyenas wandering into residential areas, often sparking fear and debate over urban expansion into wildlife habitats.

For instance, a March 2025 CCTV footage of a lioness roaming a residential neighbourhood in Rongai went viral.

The footage showed the animal climbing a perimeter wall before disappearing.

Earlier that same year, KWS teams captured another lioness that was spotted near homes in the area, which rangers later suggested could have been related to other lions rescued after escaping their natural habitat in 2024.

There were also cases of hyenas in Juja in 2024, sending shivers to residents.

KWS says through collaboration with partners, stakeholders, and local communities, they continue to protect wildlife and promote safe coexistence with nature.