A police officer was left to nurse his wounds after a Maasai Moran attacked him as Kenya Wildlife Service officers were enforcing evictions from Kirisia Forest, Samburu County on Wednesday, May 6.
In a video seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the officer narrated the incident, stating that they were ambushed by a group of 50 agitated Morans, who were looking out for war.
The Morans argued that the evictions being conducted were not authorised by the government.
"A group of 50 morans approached us alleging that the operation was orchestrated by KWS only. They wanted to fight with us but as we spoke with them, the elderly ones understood the circumstances. The young morans, who I believe had been circumcised recently, were so aggrieved and stated that they will fight with us.
"One of them sprung out and cut my hand (right hand). My colleagues unleashed their rifles and wanted to open fire, but I asked them to cease, as the Morans scampered for safety. I was bleeding profusely but I did not want to shoot him down, as the boy was so young and was suffering from lack of exposure and knowledge. I hope that when he grows up, he will realise he made a mistake," the officer stated.
Another police officer alleged that local politicians may have incited the Morans to resist eviction.
"I heard them blow their horns, which signalled that they were ready for war," the officer added.
Squatters inside the forest started to voluntarily leave the region in December 2019, as Environment CS Keriako Tobiko lauded over 500 families that departed.
"The Kirisia Forest has 10 rivers with indigenous trees, such as sandalwood, red cedar, podo and a whole range of wildlife. This is history. You are now in the world map as this is the first time those who got into the forest 30 years ago are moving out."
More settlers were evicted by the government between January and April 2020, as local leaders distanced themselves from the evicitions.
Samburu Women Representative Maison Leshomo, while speaking with KBC on Monday, May 4, defended herself from claims that she engineered the eviction of illegal settlers out of the forest.
"I did not send any KWS officers into the forest. That was a directive by the government and we have to adhere to the laws. It is wrong for politicians to bribe and incite residents against the evictions," Leshomo stated.
Watch the video below:
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