The leadership of the County government of Elgeyo Marakwet on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, moved to calm tension at Msekekwa, Keiyo North sub-county where two people were gunned down and three others maimed by Forest rangers.
The ugly incident occurred on Tuesday when residents allegedly stormed Kapchemutwa forest station where dozens of their confiscated sheep were mauled by a wild animal.
A confrontation between the charged locals and the rangers ensued resulting in the fatal shooting.
Governor Alex Tolgos and Deputy Governor Wisely Rotich addressed the locals at Msekekwa after visiting the victims recuperating at the Iten County Referral Hospital (ICRH).
The leaders also visited the families of the deceased victims and condoled with them as they called for calm.
Speaking at Msekekwa, Tolgos said it was unfortunate that the lives of innocent civilians were unnecessarily lost over a matter that would have been attended to with sobriety.
The governor called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to move with speed and bring the suspects to justice.
The angry governor regretted the shooting of innocent civilians and called for the immediate transfer of all the rangers at the station until the community is furnished with sufficient answers regarding the Tuesday incident.
“It is not going to be business as usual. This is quite unfortunate,” said Tolgos who postponed his Wednesday campaign tour to attend to the pertinent matter.
Rotich, on his part, said he was personally devastated by the heinous act orchestrated by the rangers.
“I lack words to express the gravity of their actions. Opening fire on wananchi who are not armed was quite irresponsible and heartless,” said the Deputy Governor.
He called on the police to expedite their investigations and arraign the rogue officers in Court.
County Woman MP Jane Kiptoo and Keiyo North political aspirant Adams Kipsanai also visited the victims.
