Six lions have broken out of the Nairobi National Park and were last seen roaming in a residential area of the Kenyan capital, wildlife authorities said.

Kenya Wildlife Service spokesman Paul Udoto said the lions were first spotted at 4am on Friday near a hospital in the suburb of Langata, and later near Kibera, Kenya's largest slum.

Mr Udoto said wildlife rangers do not know how the lions got out of the park, which is surrounded by an electric fence.

He said a team of wildlife rangers tracking the lions aim to capture them and return them to the park.

Nairobi National Park is home to many species of wildlife including endangered black rhinos, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, buffaloes, giraffes and diverse birdlife.

Nairobi's skyscrapers can be seen from the park.