One person was killed while several others sustained injuries after a night confrontation between Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) rangers and herders on the evening of Sunday, December 29.
According to KWS, a battle ensued on Sunday evening at Yakalicha, 16 kilometers inside Tsavo East National Park after Rangers encountered 30 herders while conducting a random patrol.
The routine patrol from the officers turned deadly after the herders, who had illegally gained entry into the national park, turned rowdy.
Armed with poisoned arrows, the herders reportedly attacked the officers, who fought back and fatally injured one of the intruders. One officer also narrowly escaped death after getting struck by a poisoned arrow.
An Image of Tsavo East National Park. PHOTO/ Courtesy.
In their statement, the KWS expressed regret on how the encounter with the herders, who hailed from the Kone community went as they issued a condolence message 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 the incident has been reported to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the KWS also faulted Garsen Constituency Member of Parliament Guyo Ali Wario for reportedly inciting the local community 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 dates back to months ago, with squabbles mainly stemming from grazing space and a watering spot with the wardens.
Asa-Kone village, which borders the Tsavo East National Reserve, has particularly been a hotspot for clashes between the local community and the KWS officers. Area residents have in the past accused rangers of persecuting them without any grounds.
Some residents have alleged that their family members have been arrested in the past and detained in Voi, which is at least 400 kilometers from their village.
In August 2024, Guyo attempted to quell the tensions between the local community and KWS by calling on the government to compensate residents and lead a peaceful dialogue between the two parties.
A section of Tsavo East National Park.
Kenyans.co.ke/Tsavo East National Park.