On the evening of Sunday, December 29, a night encounter between Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) rangers and herders resulted in one death and multiple injuries.
According to KWS, a battle broke out on Sunday evening at Yakalicha, 16 kilometers inside Tsavo East National Park, after Rangers spotted 30 herders while on a random patrol.
The police’ normal patrol turned deadly when the herders who had unlawfully entered the national park became boisterous.
The herders apparently assaulted the officers with poisoned arrows, but they fought back and killed one of the intruders.
One officer also narrowly avoided death after being hit by a poisoned arrow.In its statement, the KWS expressed remorse for how the interaction with the herders from the Kone community turned out and offered condolences to the deceased.
“KWS extends its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased herder and regrets the incident, especially given the historically harmonious relationship between the Service and the Kone community.”
While confirming that the incident had been reported to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the KWS also blamed Garsen Constituency Member of Parliament Guyo Ali Wario for allegedly instigating the local population against the park rangers.
“Unfortunately, a section of the local community has been incited by the Member of Parliament for Garsen Constituency Hon. Guyo Ali Wario to illegally invade and settle within the park with false promises of acquiring land,” KWS alleged in their statement.
Conflict between the KWS and the local community, particularly in the Tana Delta Sub-County, began months earlier, with squabbles primarily over grazing space and a watering location with the wardens.
Asa-Kone village, which borders the Tsavo East National Reserve, has been a center for incidents between local residents and KWS police.
Area residents have previously accused rangers of targeting them without cause.
Some villagers claim that family members had previously been arrested and jailed in Voi, which is at least 400 kilometers away from their village.
Guyo attempted to calm tensions between the local community and KWS in August 2024, calling on the government to pay locals and facilitate a constructive dialogue between the two parties.
Leave feedback about this