Apprehension has gripped the sleepy village of Kapchepkokel in Saimo Soi Ward, Baringo County, yesterday morning after a Kenya Forest Service (KFS) officer allegedly shot a teenage boy in the chest under unclear circumstances. 

The bullet pierced through his lower chest and exited through the back, causing severe bleeding that required an urgent blood transfusion. 

Robert Kulei, one of the first people to arrive at the scene, said he received a call at around 7 am from area Assistant Chief Richard Cheboi, who claimed that 17-year-old Victor Keino had been injured by a piece of wood and needed immediate medical attention. 

“I rushed to the scene and found Keino lying in a pool of blood beside the road, while two armed KFS guards stood a few meters away whispering to each other,” said Kulei. 

He added that the visibly shaken officers insisted the teenager had been impaled by a piece of wood in his lower right torso.

“They emphasised that I should tell the medical team the injury was caused by wood, but there was no doubt in my mind what had caused the gaping wound.” 

According to Kulei, the bullet appeared to have entered just below Keino’s right breast and exited from his back. As they prepared to rush him to the hospital on a motorbike, Keino reportedly whispered faintly, “Kindly take care of my mother if I die from the gunshot wound.” 

“This broke my heart into a million pieces. I didn’t know what to tell him,” said a distraught Kulei. 

Keino was first taken to Kabartonjo Sub-County Hospital and later referred to Baringo County Referral Hospital (BCRH) for specialised treatment. 

While receiving a blood transfusion, Keino told People Daily in a whisper that the KFS officer shot him at close range without provocation.

“I have no idea why he did this. I was just going about my business, my panga in hand, like I always do in the morning while searching for pasture for my mother’s cows,” he said.

Keino, the youngest in his family, lives with his widowed mother and plays a vital role in helping her with daily chores and livestock care. 

Despite experiencing chest pains and fluctuating blood pressure, the Standard Eight dropout vowed to fight for his life—for the sake of his mother.

His uncle, Zakayo Ruto, strongly condemned the shooting, calling it uncalled for and inhumane. 

“They wanted to kill him in cold blood,” he said.

“Even if he was cutting trees, that’s no reason to shoot. They should have confiscated the trees or arrested him,” Ruto said.