A family in Rongai experienced a frightening ordeal when a lion was spotted roaming inside their compound, forcing them to stay indoors overnight. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) took over an hour to respond after the family alerted them.
Pauline Kinjah, the homeowner, shared live updates on social media describing the tense wait. She expressed frustration at the slow response, noting that her driver had to fetch the wildlife officers personally. "How are you sure it's still there?" she quoted the initial reaction from KWS, highlighting the lack of urgency.
The family’s children were particularly distressed, urging to relocate immediately due to the danger. However, Pauline acknowledged that moving was not an easy option.
KWS Intervention and Ongoing Concerns
- KWS officers eventually found the lion, identified as a mid-sized cub, resting near the estate fence.
- The animal was confirmed not to be a hunter, providing some reassurance to the family.
- A veterinary doctor was called to sedate the lion to ensure the safety of residents and pets.
Despite these efforts, the lion was lost from sight by 4:30 a.m. the following day, though it was believed to remain within the estate. A second KWS team was scheduled to arrive later that morning to continue the search.
Residents were advised to remain vigilant until the situation is fully resolved. Pauline summarized the unsettling experience, stating, "We lost sight of the lion around 4:30 am this morning so it's still within the estate."
