Forest guards face charges over killing

By TITUS TOO

Nandi County

Two forest guards have been arrested after the body of a farmer was found dumped in a river.

Police in Kapsabet, Nandi Central District, apprehended the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) guards based at Kimondi Forest station. They are expected to appear in court.

Area OCPD Nelson Okioga said one of the officers would face charges of manslaughter while the second will appear in court for assault.

The body of Nicholas Kibiwot Sanga, 30, was found in River Kimondi a day after local KFS rangers allegedly carried out a routine operation to protect the Government forest.

Press for arrest

Irate villagers from Kolong demonstrated, accusing officers of the killing. "Six forest guards from KFS have recorded statements with the police on the incident," Mr Okioga said yesterday.

The statement file, he said, had been forwarded to the State counsel for direction.

Okioga said the arrest followed orders from Attorney General Amos Wako that the first officer be charged with manslaughter and the other assault. Sanga’s family had earlier postponed the burial to press for the arrest of the forest guards.

About three weeks after the incident, the body has been lying at the Kapsabet District Hospital mortuary.

"We are now meeting as a family to set a burial date since the officers have been arrested," a family member, Phillip Korir, told The Standard.