Residents of Igembe North in Meru county have asked Kenya Wildlife Service to capture a lion and its cub that have posed a danger to them and are killing their livestock.

The lion has been spotted in Kiolo, Mwiliene and adjacent villages. Some residents claimed they saw three lions which recently killed three cows.

Kibaara Kiamba, a resident, said the lions have killed more than 10 cows and a herd of goats. "The lions have brought a lot of fear in this area. We go to bed early as people close their businesses earlier than usual. We are afraid that our children might be attacked when they are going to school in the morning," he said.

Residents of Antubetwe Kiongo claim the lions have been around for three weeks. Igembe North MP Ntoitha M'Mithiaru called for calm. He said he has asked the chief warden at Meru National Park to send officers to capture the stray animals.

"They are on the ground looking for the lion so that they can take it back to the park," he said. He the residents to be vigilant and report to the officers immediately they spot them.