Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has issued new directives to the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) following the release of a viral video showing KFS rangers assaulting an elderly man.
The incident took place in Lunga Lunga Sub County, Kwale County, and prompted widespread outrage.
On Wednesday, November 20, CS Duale responded to the suspension of one KFS ranger involved in the assault, which was announced on Tuesday.
While he welcomed the interdiction of the first officer, he called for the suspension of all other rangers shown in the video.
In his instructions to Chief Conservator of Forests Alex Lemarkoko, Duale emphasized that while the government is committed to tackling forest crimes such as illegal logging, such brutal behavior by KFS officers is completely unacceptable.
He insisted that these actions violated human rights and dignity.
The disturbing video, widely shared on social media, shows several officers, believed to be KFS rangers, harassing the elderly man, allegedly for collecting firewood from a protected forest in Lunga Lunga.
In the footage, one officer is heard mocking the man for not attending mosque, while others force him to lie down before a female officer strikes him multiple times with a whip as he groans in pain.
KFS swiftly condemned the incident, describing the actions of the rangers as incompatible with its values.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, KFS stated that the actions depicted in the video were unacceptable and not in line with the organization’s ethical standards.
Reacting to the public outcry, CS Duale ordered the immediate interdiction of all rangers involved in the assault, not just the officer who had already been suspended.
“My attention has been drawn to the disturbing video circulating online, showing KFS Rangers brutalizing a citizen in Lunga Lunga, Kwale County.
While I acknowledge the swift action taken by KFS to suspend one officer, it is clear that more than one ranger was involved,” Duale said.
“I therefore direct the Chief Conservator of Forests to immediately interdict all the officers involved.”
KFS, in response to the viral video, assured the public that investigations are underway and promised that all individuals responsible for the assault would be held accountable.
The Service also called on citizens to report any incidents of harassment, corruption, or forest crimes to local police stations or via email at info@kenyaforestservice.org.
Additionally, KFS reiterated its commitment to a Human Rights-Based Approach when conducting arrests related to forest offenses, and emphasized that all staff members are trained to handle such situations professionally.
The incident has garnered widespread attention, with human rights organizations and the public urging the National Police Service (NPS) and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to take appropriate action against the officers involved.
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