Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has sought to explain the circumstances that led to a shooting incident that left one person dead and three others injured in the Narok South sub-county.
KFS said two forest rangers were confronted by a rowdy mob that consisted of more than 100 members at Chepalungu Trading Centre.
KFS said the group had blocked the road demanding for release of the livestock the two officers had impounded within the newly planted forest.
The agency said the two KFS Forest rangers stationed in Narok South sub-county were on their normal forest protection patrols on December 16, 2023, when the incident occurred.
“The said rangers found six goats and six sheep grazing illegally within a newly planted forest without the owner. As per the requirements of the Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2016, which prohibits unauthorised grazing in gazetted forests, the rangers impounded the livestock,” KFS said.
KFS said the rangers encountered a hostile crowd at the Chepalungu trading centre while escorting the livestock to the camp for further necessary action.
“A number of them advanced towards the rangers, clobbering them with crude weapons. In the ensuing melee one person was fatally shot and three others were injured,” KFS said on X.
The agency said police officers at Nkoben Police Station and other forest rangers arrived and managed to control the situation.
“This unfortunate incident was reported at Nkoben police post vide OB No. 06/16/12/2023.
KFS urged members of the public to remain calm as the incident is under investigation by the DCIO and ODPP.
