KWS ranger killed accidentally at Tsavo National Park

TAITA TAVETA COUNTY: A Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) ranger died after a bullet discharged accidentally from his rifle and hit him in the chest at the Tsavo Conservation Area (TCA) in Taita Taveta County.

Officials said it was an accident and not shooting by the enemy that caused the death.

According to senior KWS officials, the ranger identified as Douglas Ng'anga was on patrol with others at the time of the incident that occurred at Kanjaro area in Tsavo West National Park on Wednesday.

TCA senior warden in-charge of security operation Paul Koech said the ranger died while undergoing treatment at the Taveta district hospital where he was rushed immediately.

"The bullet discharged accidentally from the rifle he was carrying and hit him on the breast bone. He died while undergoing treatment," he said. "The ranger was not shot by poachers as claimed by some quarters."

Speaking to The Standard on phone from Taveta Thursday, Koech said the body of the deceased was airlifted to Nairobi and investigations launched. He had served since 2011.