Tourists and Locals Plying Kwale-Kinango Road Warned Over a Roaming Lion
By Caroline Katana
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Tourists and locals using the Kwale-Kinango road should be vigilant for their safety following a stray lion roaming the area.
This comes in wake of an incident where a mauled body of a man was found on Sunday evening at Marere forest along the road.
According to government deputy spokesperson Mwanaisha Chidzuga the lion escaped from Kwale sanctuary, thus endangering lives of locals or tourists using the road.
“The lion that escaped from the Shimba Hills National reserve recently is believed to be behind the death of a bodaboda rider on Sunday evening.”
The spokesperson confirmed that Kenya Wildlife Service officers in Shimba Hills have launched the manhunt of the dangerous animal.
“I believe within 48 hours KWS officers will have the lion at the reserve, calling upon communities not to hesitate reporting to KWS officers through official number 0704467855 whenever they trace the lion for immediate action.”
She called on bodaboda riders to be cautious while using the Kwale-Kinango section of the Marere forest until the lion was taken back to custody.
“I’m very sorry about the incident and I would like to send my sincere message of condolences to the bereaved family and urging the family to remain calm as the KWS officers take the lawful responsibility.”
The Kwale-Kinango road is under construction by a contractor as it was damaged by the recent floods from the El Nino rain phenomenon so many people using it prefer boda boda transport.
Kwale police commander Stephen Ng’etich said incident occurred at new year eve before it was reported to them on New Year.
“At around 11:40 hours on 1st January, 2024, it was reported by senior warden Shimba Hills National Reserve that while on patrol at around 0900 hours they received information from members of public that there is an abandoned motorcycle REG NO.KMGD 573Q make TVs red in colour along Kwale-Kinango road at Marere forest area about five kilometres west of the station,” he said.
The County police boss said after investigations, they discovered human body parts of unknown person suspected to have been mauled by a lion were found.
“After a quick investigation, KWS officers noticed lion’s footprint and on following them found the remains of human body that were taken to Kwale morgue.”
