Kenya Forest ranger who shot and killed man as son watched jailed for 7 years

Justice Reuben Nyakundi found the accused, James Kiprotich guilty of shooting to death Patrick Kibet whom he allegedly found harvesting firewood inside Chebiemit forest on August 12, 2012.

He was sentenced to prison by Justice Reuben Nyakundi. 

According to court documents, the deceased was in the company of his son when he was confronted by two rangers who were on a regular patrol to keep the villagers from the illegal harvesting of trees in the public forest.

While giving her evidence in court, Monica Kibet, the deceased’s widow, said that on the fateful Sunday morning, her late husband left home with their son to collect firewood in the nearby forest.

Monica told the court that when she rushed to the scene of the tragic incident, she found seven spent cartridges near her slain husband which were later collected by the scene of crime officers and produced in court as exhibits.

She further told the court that the ranger who killed her late husband was well known to them.

Testifying in the same matter, Evans Kibet, the deceased’s son, narrated how he escaped death by hiding behind a bush after spotting the rangers from a distance who were advancing towards his direction.

He said that from his hide-out, he was able to see his father being shot several times by the ranger and he died on the spot.

The government pathologist, Dr. Wekesa Nalianya attached to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, in his report that was tabled in the court indicated that the cause of Kibet’s death was severe chest injury due to gunshot wounds.

Eleven prosecution witnesses testified against the convict in the case.