Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has responded to reports on social media and mainstream news claiming that its officers shot and killed a Form 3 student on a private farm.
In a statement on Tuesday, April 8, KFS clarified that the incident happened on the morning of April 7th in the Makunga Forest block, which is part of Saboti Forest Station in Trans Nzoia County.
"The service seeks to make clarification as follows: the unfortunate incident occurred at the Makunga Forest block of Saboti Forest station within Trans Nzoia County on April, 7, at around 0800hrs whereby Forest," the statement reads.
The rangers were confronted by goons armed with crude weapons, and during the melee, one person was fatally injured by a suspected stray bullet.
KFS said their rangers were carrying out a law enforcement operation to remove people who had illegally entered the forest to farm and build structures.
“During the operation, our rangers were attacked by a group of people armed with crude weapons. In the chaos, one person was sadly hit by what is believed to be a stray bullet and died,” part of the statement read.
The service explained that the area where the incident happened is not private land but a gazetted forest managed by KFS.
According to the statement, allegations that the victims were killed at a private farm are misleading.
"The land in question is gazetted forest under the management of the KFS. Consequently, allegations that the victims were killed at a private farm are misleading and not factual," KFS stated.
KFS also said the matter is under investigation, and they are working closely with the National Police Service to make sure justice is done.
“The matter is under investigation, and the service is cooperating with the National Police Service and is at the forefront to ensure justice is served to the victims," it stated.
"KFS remains steadfast and committed to managing, conserving, and protecting public forests while upholding human rights," KWS added.
