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Kenya Forest Services (KFS) has interdicted three forest rangers following a case which involved them in the assault of an individual at the Gonja Forest in Lungalunga-Kwale County.

In a statement on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, KFS said that the three were interdicted following video evidence which showed them assaulting an individual within the Gonja forest outpost.

“Kenya Forest Service has interdicted two more officers who were involved in a case of harassment that was captured on video in Gonja forest outpost, Lunga Lunga, Kwale County. This brings the total number of staff interdicted to three,” the statement said.

Adding: “One community forest scout who was also involved has been stripped of his duties and will no longer be allowed to access the forest. Investigations have also revealed that a chairman of a local community group was also involved in the unfortunate incident and going forward, he too becomes persona non grata in the forest. Kenya Forest Service remains committed to upholding the human rights-based approach in all interactions with communities and stakeholders.”

Two forest officers dismissed

The developments come barely two months after KFS interdicted two other forest officers following their arrest by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) officers in September.

The two individuals were interdicted after it was reported that they over-paid casual labourers and then later demanded that they refund the excess payments to their own accounts.

“The officers routinely deposited money into the casuals’ bank accounts disguised as legitimate payments then later ordered the workers to withdraw and hand over the money to them,” EACC spokesperson Eric Ngumbi observed.

In their statement, KFS reiterated their intolerance to fraud, noting that all such cases would be processed swiftly.

“All KFS staff are made aware of the Anti-Corruption Policy, Staff Code of Conduct and Whistleblowers Policy, which uphold a zero-tolerance stance against corruption,” KFS said, “Any cases of corruption will be dealt with swiftly and decisively.”

Ruto fires 23 officers

On October 11, 2023, during the pass-out parade of the KFS recruits in Gilgil, President William Ruto publicly directed the Kenya Forest Service board to fire 23 forest managers including rangers to dismiss and arraign the affected officers in court.

“I have instructed the Kenya Forest Service board that all those engaged in corruption be fired and be taken to court. We have already found 23 forest managers and rangers,” Ruto said.