A herder, who was part of a group of 30, has been killed after illegally accessing Tsavo East National Park on Sunday.
The incident highlights the escalating tensions between local herders and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) as conservation efforts clash with the livelihoods of neighbouring communities.
According to KWS, the herders attacked officers with poisoned arrows, advancing aggressively at Yakalicha, 16 kilometres inside the park. As officers patrolled the area, they encountered the armed group, leading to a violent confrontation“During the ensuing chaos, one herder was fatally injured,” KWS said in a statement. “One officer escaped by a whisker from being shot with a poisoned arrow that stuck on the firearm.”
The close call has raised concerns about the increasing hostility faced by KWS personnel while attempting to protect wildlife within the park.
The situation around Tsavo East National Park has been increasingly fraught with tension, fueled in part by incitement from local leaders.
According to KWS, recent reports indicate that Garsen Member of Parliament Guyo Ali Wario has encouraged herders to illegally invade and settle within the park by making false promises about land acquisition.
Such actions, KWS argues, have resulted in the illegal construction of makeshift settlements and armed grazing of livestock, exacerbating the conflict between conservation efforts and local community needs.
In light of the incident, KWS extended its condolences to the family of the deceased herder, acknowledging the historically harmonious relationship that existed between the Service and the Kone community.
The tragic incident has been reported to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) offices in Mutomo, Kitui County, and Garsen, Tana River County. Crime scene investigation teams are working to establish the circumstances surrounding this event.
Meanwhile, KWS has urged local communities to respect protected areas and collaborate towards ensuring the safety of both the wildlife and residents.
By Teddy Eugene Otieno