Nine illegal herders arrested in Tsavo area security operation

Taita-Taveta, KENYA: Police and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers have arrested nine illegal herders in a security operation to flush out illegal herders and mop up illegal guns in Tsavo Conservation Area in Taita-Taveta County.

Yesterday's operation comes at a time when the Government is still grappling with rising cases of poaching and other wildlife-related crimes.

County Police Commander Richard Bitonga said the suspects were arrested while grazing inside the Tsavo East National Park.

"The suspects were found illegally grazing in the park. They will be taken to court once investigations are complete," the officer said.

Speaking to The Standard yesterday, the police commander said the Government has deployed a special unit comprising KWS personnel, General Service Unit and Rapid Response Unit (RRU) to carry out the disarmament exercise.

According to the police and KWS officials, the security operation is aimed at ridding the area of armed criminals linked to a spate of poaching activities in the recent past.

Air operation

"We are carrying out the massive ground and air operation to deal with the poachers and aliens believed to be involved in crime in the region," said Bitonga.

A total of 65 elephants have so far been killed in Tsavo this year, something that has sparked a public outcry among conservationists.

Five suspected poachers have been shot dead in the area in the recent past. Three of the poachers were gunned down at Mbuyuni area while two others were shot dead at Kuranze in Tsavo West National Park.

Taveta KWS Warden Joseph Kavi said they were also encouraging the local communities to convert ranches into conservancies to reap maximum benefits from wildlife activities.

 "Wildlife attracts tourists and if you kill them you are sabotaging the economy," said the warden.