KWS rangers disarmed after shooting four in clash at Lake Nakuru

KWS rangers disarmed after shooting four in clash at Lake Nakuru. A group of Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) rangers were disarmed following a shooting incident at Lake Nakuru, Nakuru County, on Saturday evening, which left four civilians injured, including a Form Two student. Two KWS rangers were also injured in the confrontation and taken to the hospital alongside the civilians.

Incident Overview

• Date: May 25, 2024
• Location: Barut, Nakuru County, bordering Lake Nakuru National Park
• Event: KWS rangers conducted an operation against illegal fishing activities.
• Conflict: A group of men was spotted trespassing into Lake Nakuru for illegal fishing, prompting the KWS patrol team to intervene. The situation escalated when another group of people attacked the officers with stones, leading the rangers to open fire.

Injuries and Hospitalization

• Civilians Injured: Four, including a Form Two student.
• Rangers Injured: Two
• Medical Response:
  • The injured were taken to Nakuru County Teaching and Referral Hospital.
  • Three civilians sustained bullet wounds on the thighs, and one had a wound on the arm.
  • Two civilians are scheduled for surgery to remove bullets.

Investigation and Community Response

• Weapons Confiscation: The firearms used by the KWS officers have been confiscated for ballistic tests to determine who was responsible for the shooting.
• Police Investigation: An investigation has been opened to establish the facts and hold the responsible parties accountable.
• Local Authority Statement:
  • Area Deputy County Commissioner Obed Mose assured that the officers would be arrested if found culpable.
  • Mose called for local cooperation in the investigation and appealed for calm among the residents.

Background Context

• Fishing Ban: Fishing in Lake Nakuru has been banned due to safety concerns regarding human consumption of fish from the lake.
• Local Impact: The swelling of Lake Nakuru has displaced many locals, leading some to resort to illegal fishing for sustenance.
• Protests: The shooting incident sparked protests among locals demanding the arrest and prosecution of the KWS officers involved.

Local leaders have urged the community to remain calm while the investigation proceeds, and they have promised that justice will be served based on the findings.