Kenyan police gun down two suspected poachers

Nairobi. Kenya police reservists gunned down two suspected poachers yesterday morning in Laikipia County.

The poachers were shot dead at around 1.30 am at Matigari area near Rumuruti town after a fierce exchange of gunfire with the reservists from Ol Pejeta wildlife conservancy.

Laikipia county police commander Angelus Karuru said an AK 47 rifle, four bullets and a motorcycle were recovered from the suspects.

“The reservists were alert since they already had some intelligence that there were some poachers around although it was not known which conservancy they would strike,” Mr Karuru said.

He said the poachers arrived at Ol Pejeta Conservancy at around 12.30 am and the two reservists pursued them for about an hour before catching up with them at Matigari where officers from Rumuruti provided reinforcement.

NO IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS

He said no identification documents were found on the bodies of the suspects which were taken to Nyahururu hospital mortuary.

The incident brings to three the number of suspected poachers shot dead in the county in a span of three weeks. On October 18, Kenya Wildlife Service rangers shot dead a suspected poacher at the neighbouring Solio ranch and injured another.

Assistant director for Mountain region Aggrey Maumo said a gang of three suspected poachers had gained entry into the conservancy with an aim of killing a rhino.

Rangers patrolling the area heard gunshots and tracked the poachers down. An exchange of fire ensued.

One of them, believed to be in his 30s,was shot dead on the spot while another managed to escape with gunshot wounds during the incident.

He was also armed.

The rangers also recovered a gun and eight bullets as well as other assorted equipment.

Mr Maumo said KWS had intensified aerial and ground surveillance in all the wildlife conservancies to curb poaching activities.