Syokimau residents have been urged to remain vigilant after a hyena was reportedly sighted within the area.
In a statement by the wildlife service, the wild animal was reported on Sunday, May 10, 2026, along Mwananchi Road off Eastport Drive in Syokimau, Machakos County.
According to KWS, the responding Problem Animal Control (PAC) team did not directly encounter the hyena during the operation, fresh footprints indicated that the animal had recently moved through the area.
The agency also stated that surveillance and monitoring operations have since been intensified, with preliminary findings suggesting the hyena may be moving through bushy and isolated land behind JKIA toward Katani.
This comes after social media videos circulated online showing what appeared to be a hyena roaming near residential areas, causing concern among locals.
A section of Syokimau residents had expressed fears over the safety of children and pedestrians, especially during early morning and evening hours.
In response to the matter, KWS assured members of the public that all necessary precautionary measures are being undertaken and emphasised that there is no cause for panic.
Despite that, residents have been advised to avoid approaching or provoking the animal and to immediately report any wildlife sightings to the nearest KWS station or local authorities.
Parents and guardians were also encouraged to keep children under close supervision, particularly in areas near bushes, open land, and poorly lit roads where wild animals may pass unnoticed.
The service further encouraged residents to immediately report any wildlife sightings to the nearest KWS station or local authorities, with the service further expressing its commitment to safeguarding both human life and wildlife.
