The tragic shooting of Mr. Issack Abdulla Jarso, a 42-year-old herder from Ngumu Village in Garsen Constituency, by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) rangers has sparked public outcry and prompted a formal demand for answers from the area Member of Parliament, Hon. Ali Wario.
Raising the issue in Parliament, Hon. Wario sought a comprehensive explanation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, the progress of the investigation, and what measures are being taken to prevent similar clashes between law enforcement and local communities.
According to official reports, the incident occurred on 29th December 2024 during a KWS-led operation to drive out herders and cattle from Tsavo East National Park.
A group of 23 KWS rangers confronted Mr. Jarso and his family at their manyatta. What began as an attempted arrest quickly escalated into a physical confrontation.
Mr. Jarso was shot during the altercation and died at the scene.
Police responded after the area sub-chief reported the shooting, and found Jarso’s body with a gunshot wound to the upper thigh.
Four spent cartridges were recovered from the scene, and the body was moved to the Malindi Sub-County Hospital Mortuary.
A postmortem confirmed death from gunshot-inflicted trauma.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) launched an inquiry into the shooting under Inquiry File No. 4/2024.
Statements were recorded from witnesses, including the deceased’s wife and friends, and all 23 firearms used by the rangers were submitted for ballistic analysis in Nairobi.
The results of the forensic tests are still pending.
The inquiry file was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who requested further investigations, including a detailed ballistic report to determine which officer fired the fatal shot.
The case remains open, with authorities pledging action against any officer found culpable.
The government indicated that the confrontation was sparked by an attempted enforcement of conservation boundaries.
Rangers had reportedly encountered resistance while trying to remove livestock from the protected park, leading to a tense standoff that spiraled out of control.
While KWS maintains that their officers were carrying out a lawful operation, MP Wario and local leaders have questioned the use of lethal force, especially against unarmed civilians.
In response to growing concerns, the government outlined several preventive measures aimed at avoiding such deadly encounters in future:
Stronger coordination between wildlife officers and other security agencies.
Joint community sensitization campaigns to educate herders on protected areas and conservation laws.
Increased patrols in high-risk zones where human-wildlife conflicts are frequent.
Promotion of community policing initiatives to encourage peaceful dialogue and build trust between authorities and pastoralist communities.
The National Police Service has also initiated a broader strategy to improve relationships between law enforcement agencies and communities. These include:
Revitalization of Nyumba Kumi and community policing forums, Multi-agency collaboration involving KWS, local government, and intelligence units to prevent conflict before it escalates and Civic education campaigns focusing on land use, conservation awareness, and non-violent conflict resolution.
Despite the gravity of the incident, the Ministry of Interior confirmed that it has no allocated funds to compensate the family of Mr. Jarso. This has only deepened frustration among local leaders, who are calling for policy reforms to support families affected by state actions.
Hon. Wario emphasized that accountability must follow. “The people of Garsen deserve justice, and the family of Mr. Jarso deserves closure. We must put an end to violent engagements between state officers and civilians,” he stated.
As investigations continue, the people of Tana River County remain watchful, hoping this tragic loss will lead to meaningful change and safer interactions between security agencies and communities living at the edge of protected land.
Church In Mysterious Deaths Closed After Two Bodies Found In Rongo, Migori
