The National Assembly  Public Petition Committee questioned the Kenya Forest Service (KFS)  Management on the atrocities caused by rangers in Uasin Gishu County.

The Committee is carrying out  hearings to enable it to address a petition on safeguarding the economic and social welfare of communities living next to forests in Uasin Gishu County.

The Director General, KFS  Mr. Alex Lemarkoko and Chief Executive Committee  (CEC) Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Uasin Gishu County Mr. Abraham Serem appeared before the Committee to address the challenges faced by the community.

Mr. Serem told the Committee of instances where KFS rangers have violated the community’s rights. “We get horrifying stories of atrocities inflicted by KFS rangers. A boy in Bargeywa has not been  able to walk since last year after he was beaten by KFS rangers.  Women are raped in the forests as they go to fetch firewood. Something needs to change,” Mr. Serem said.  .

The Chairperson Hon. Mbai said the key objective of the Committee  is to give justice to the petitioners. He questioned the harassment and atrocities being meted on  by members of the community.

In his response, Mr. Lemarkoko said that the KFS rangers go out of their way to help members of the communities. He cited a case where a KFS ranger tried to save a man drowning but they both unfortunately ended up drowning.

The Chair recommended that the Director General strike a balance between safeguarding KFS officers and holding them accountable for any wrongdoing. He also recommended that the KFS review their training curriculum every year, as they take onboard  3,000 new officers who passed out recently.