The Kenya Forest Service has refuted claims that one of its officers shot dead a Form 3 student on a private farm.
In a statement on Tuesday, the service explained that the shooting occurred at the Makunga Forest block of Saboti Forest Station in Trans Nzoia County.
“The incident took place on Monday at around 8 am, whereby forest rangers were in the course of law enforcement to flush out invaders who had intruded on forest land to cultivate and erect structures,” KFS said.
The service added that the rangers were confronted by goons armed with crude weapons, and during the melee, one person was fatally injured by a suspected stray bullet.
The land in question is a gazetted forest under the management of the Kenya Forest Service.
“Consequently, allegations that the victim was killed at a private farm are misleading and not factual,” the service added.
The matter is under investigation, and the service is cooperating with the National Police Service to ensure justice is served to the victim.
KFS has assured that it remains steadfast and committed to managing, conserving and protecting public forests while upholding human rights.
This comes barely a month after a KFS officer allegedly shot and killed a civilian at Kiptunga Forest in Kuresoi South.
According to a report, the officer and his colleague were on patrol when they came across the civilian with firewood.
The officer is said to have attempted to seize the firewood when the civilian pulled out a knife and attempted to stab him, prompting the officer to open fire.
Kuresoi South Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers recovered firearms from the two officers and launched an investigation into the incident.
On March 13, 2025, three KFS rangers accused of shooting dead a man within the Narasha forest block were arraigned before Kabarnet High Court and charged with murder.
Robert Ngilimo, Hillary Bett and McDonald Wafula were charged that on February 5 at around 6.30 pm at Narasha Forest in Koibatek subcounty, Baringo County, they jointly and unlawfully shot dead Augustine Kipngetich.
When the rangers appeared before Justice Rachel Ngetich and charged with murder contrary to Section 203 as read with Section 204 of the penal code cap 63 laws of Kenya, they all pleaded not guilty.
