Roaming Hyena Causes Panic In Nakuru

By MKT Correspondent

Residents of Baraka estate in Nakuru are living in fear after a lone hyena was spotted roaming freely at night in several neighbourhoods.

The wild animal is suspected to have strayed from Lake Nakuru National Park. A resident named Ann Kurgat encountered the animal on a feeder road to the Nakuru-Kisumu-Eldoret Highway while driving home at night.

She appealed to the Kenya Wildlife Service to track down the animal and translocate it to the park or elsewhere to prevent deaths.

Locals believe that failure by sand harvesters in Baruti Location to refill mined quarries and clear bushes has attracted wild animals to residential areas.

Quarries outside protected areas have been identified as havens for hyenas, providing safe breeding and hiding places.

Nakuru Deputy County Police Commander Ezekiel Chepkwony pledged to liaise with the Kenya Wildlife Service to investigate the matter and called on residents to restrain from walking at night, especially near forests, bushes, and quarries.

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has launched Operation Ondoa Fisi-2 to address rising hyena attacks.

The KWS is committed to working with authorities to address and rehabilitate abandoned quarries and ensure the safety of all residents.