You are now likely to hit a wild animal, or cause a serious accident trying to avoid one, while driving on the busy Nairobi-Nakuru highway.
The animals are out looking for pasture and water, or simply roaming because they longer feel free and safe inside fenced ranches.
The chairman of Friends of Lake Naivasha Francis Muthui said the number of wild animals around the highway is on the increase.
He attributed this to the closure of wildlife corridors, fencing of ranches in the area and the current drought that has pushed the animals to the road in search of water and pasture.
“In the last couple of months, we have seen an increase in the number of animals along the highway and this has resulted in serious accidents,” he said on Sunday.
A senior traffic officer, who declined to be named, termed the animals as a major threat to road safety along major roads in the region.
The officer added that the Naivasha-Mai Mahiu and the Moi South lake roads had also been affected by the high number of wildlife.
“We have recorded serious accidents on the three roads all caused by wild animals that are seeking pasture and it’s time this was addressed before we lose lives,” he warned.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Wildlife Service has managed to contain the fire in Mt Longonot National Park in Naivasha after one week.
With the help of members of the public, the fire was put off amid concern over the number of wild animals displaced from the area affected.
This came as the subcounty security team raised an alert over the rising cases of fire outbreaks in various areas due to drought.
The fire in the renowned park started on Monday last week from a suspected cigarette butt and burnt tens of acres of woody vegetation.
According to Naivasha subcounty commissioner Mutua Kisilu, the southern part of the park where the fire started was most affected.
He noted no property in the neighbouring farms was affected during the incident although tens of acres of vegetation were burnt down.
“The fire in Mt Longonot National Park has been put off and we are asking members of the public to be cautious while burning vegetation during this dry period,” he said.
A farmer, Jared Kimani, noted that the incident had pushed tens of wild animals into their farms and homes, raising fears of attacks.
“Since the fire broke out, we have seen an increase in the number of wild animals in this area and we are calling on KWS to intervene before we lose lives,” he said. BY THE STAR