Chief Conservator of Forests Alex Lemarkoko (left), accompanied by other officers, condoles with the widow of one of the Kenya Forest Service officers at Cherang'ani Forest Station
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An Administration Police officer named Evans Kimutai travelled over 300 kilometres from his post at Todonyang Police Post in Turkana North to the Cherangani Forest Station in Elgeyo Marakwet County, where his girlfriend, a forest ranger, was stationed.
Upon arriving at the forest station, Kimutai opened fire on the Kenya Forest rangers, resulting in the deaths of two officers and injuring one before ultimately turning the gun on himself, ending his own life at the doorstep of the forest station manager. The devastating aftermath of the shooting left three lifeless bodies at the scene, all bearing the marks of the gunfire. The injured forest officer, identified as Monica Kilonzi, sustained serious wounds to her upper right hand and right chest. She was swiftly transported to the hospital for emergency medical treatment. The bodies of the deceased were also taken to the hospital for further examination.
Tragically, the night guard at the station lost his life while attempting to alert three female officers of the impending danger. He met his untimely demise at the doorstep, where two of the female officers were enjoying a meal after attending Madaraka Day commemorations at the Kapsoar Sub County headquarters earlier that day. The two forest officers killed in the incident have been identified as Abdallah Dzabo Kitolle, aged 22, and Marion Jerono, aged 20. Abdalla Kitolle's young wife, Fatuma Omar, shares that her husband had only been employed at the station for approximately two years. In her grief, she expresses, "Abdalla was so caring and loving. He truly loved me and our 10-month-old son."
The station manager narrowly escaped the attack, as it appeared that the assailant's intention was to kill not only his girlfriend but anyone who crossed his path. Authorities recovered an AK-47 rifle from the crime scene, along with three fully loaded magazines, each containing 30 rounds of ammunition. The shocking incident left the Kapcherop Centre, where the forest station is situated, in a state of profound shock and disbelief. Both the forest officers and local residents struggled to comprehend the tragic events that had transpired. Elgeyo Marakwet County Police Commander Peter Mulinge reveals that the heavily armed officer had opened fire indiscriminately before taking the lives of the two KFS officers and injuring the third ranger. Mr Mulinge also discloses that the assailant and his girlfriend had been engaged in ongoing disputes, prompting law enforcement officials to request that the perpetrator be barred from entering the forest facility. It was noted that the assailant's girlfriend was not present at the forest station during the incident.
Local leaders are urging young people to seek professional help when faced with relationship challenges, rather than resorting to violence. Area resident William Kimaiyo describes the incident as unfortunate and emphasizes the need for the government to ensure that individuals joining disciplined forces are of high integrity. He expresses the immense pain felt by parents and residents, given that the suspected perpetrator was a well-known young man in the community. In response to the tragedy, the National Chief Conservator of Forests Alex Lemarkoko accompanied by senior KFS officers and a security team, today visited the site to assess the crime scene and offer condolences to the families of the deceased officers. Lemarkoko had to travel from Nairobi upon learning of the devastating loss of two young officers at the hands of a police officer from Turkana North.
Comments
Wivu ni Mbaya:
Kwa hivyo Watu waAche kuCheza ma Uhusiano za Watu. WaAche kuChafua girlfriend, Bibi, au Ndoa ya Mtu (akiwa Mbali). *AtaSafiri KukuRamba.
Misleaders tell the youth to seek professional help when faced with relationships challenges.Can they explain whether wauji Wanjiru(who killed her husband because of penis)and Raila(who sacrificed his son to win elections) and Kabogo(who killed Mercy for declining her Ndurume advances)are youths yet each killed for petty issues?
Yeap that statement just about absolves the adults.In fact, the youths in question pretty much emulate what their adults do. So you adults are very poor role models. Improve your image,act right so that the youths might emulate your good behaviors.
Comrades,
What do you expect when our soldiers were feed bread and soda, while the Hyenas were enjoying roasted meat during madaraka day?
I'm not sure this dynamic in Kenya will change anytime soon. The rich get richer, the poor stay that way but now they have a growing middle class to act as a buffer. Growing up I noticed among the wealthy Mt Kenya types a resistance to having their children marry below their social class. I doubt this will change soon. I think this incident was driven by rage and jealousy brought on by infidelity.
"Local leaders are urging young people to seek professional help when faced with relationship challenges, rather than resorting to violence."
What exactly are relationship challenges. This broad umbrella definition waters down this serious matter.
The other day,I read that they will introduce sex education in schools pretty soon. This is agood start.As is usually the case, delays of this educational program has been due to opposition from religious communities without offering a solution.
Honestly, Iam not sure how a professional help would cure a broken heart.Any takers? My suggestion is to encourage people to learn to love themselves first,before loving someone else.When you love yourself, you do not do things to hurt yourself,or allow people to hurt yourself.