Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has found itself on the spot yet again after its officers shot and killed an alleged herder at Yakalicha, which is about 16km inside Tsavo East National Park.

KWS alleges the deceased man was part of a group of 30 armed herders who illegally entered the park and attacked its officers who on patrol on Sunday, December 29, 2024.

According to KWS, the herders attacked the wardens with poisoned arrows resulting in the fatal shooting of one herder while a warder managed to stop a poisoned arrow with his gun.

The service says the incident was reported at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) offices in Mutomo, Kitui County, and Garsen, Tana River County with a probe underway.

“KWS is cooperating fully with the DCI in their investigations,” said KWS in a statement over the death of the elderly man identified as Isaack Jaso Deno who hailed from Kone village.

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KWS is now accusing Garsen MP Guyo Ali Wario of allegedly fanning the increased hostility facing the service along the North-Eastern boundary of the Tsavo East National Park.

“Unfortunately, a section of the local community has been incited by the Member of Parliament for Garsen Constituency, Hon Guyo Ali Wario, to illegally invade and settle within the park with false promises of acquiring land,” claimed KWS in its statement.

KWS says this has resulted in illegal settlements, armed herding of livestock, displacement and killing of wildlife, poaching, bush meat trade and environmental destruction in the park.

However, Tana River County Senator Danson Mungatana is accusing KWS officers of excessive use of force and is demanding the immediate prosecution of those culpable.

He further asked KWS Director General Dr Erustus Kanga to fire the officer involved in the shooting and order immediate retraining of all KWS officers overseeing Tana River County.

“We want DCI to arrest the KWS officer involved, he be presented in court, and if found culpable let him be imprisoned as Kenya operates under the law,” said Mungatana.

He added: “Even as the investigation continues, we demand that the KWS Director General fires the officer; this is a person who either did not go through training or forgot it altogether.”