Narok: One shot dead, three injured as locals fight rangers for seizing livestock grazing in gazetted forest

One person was fatally shot while three others were injured on Saturday during a fight between locals and Kenya Forest Service (KFS) rangers over the impounding of livestock found grazing in a gazetted forest in Narok South, Narok County.

According to the KFS, the rangers on patrol found six goats and six sheep grazing illegally within a newly planted forest without the owner and impounded them.

“While escorting the livestock to the camp for further necessary action, the duo encountered a hostile crowd at the Chepalungu trading centre. The rowdy mob consisted of more than 100 members of the public who blocked the road demanding for the release of the livestock,” said the service in a statement on Monday.

KFS said a number of the locals clobbered the rangers with crude weapons and in the melee that ensued, the officers opened fire, causing the death and injuries.

Police from the Nkoben police station and other rangers arrived and managed to control the situation.

Describing the incident as ‘unfortunate’ and ‘regrettable’, the Forest Service said, “The Service urges members of the public to remain calm as this regrettable incident is under investigation by the DCIO and ODPP.”