KWS denies kidnapping allegations
Isiolo Governor Godana Doyo addresses journalists at Meru National Park on June 09, 2015 after a meeting with senate committee members on security and national security where he condemned the killing of Kinna residents by KWS officers during a peaceful demonstration last month. PHOTO | PHOEBE OKALL | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Thirty-two-year old Mohammed Sheikh Abdullahi is said to have been abducted last week along Meru-Isiolo road near Kenya Methodist University while in the company of relatives.
- Residents of Kinna in Isiolo have previously linked alleged disappearance of people in the county with the state agency.
- KWS maintained that its relationship with the people and Isiolo county government is ‘very cordial’ and they will strive to keep it that way.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has denied any involvement in the alleged disappearance of a businessman in Meru last week.
In a press statement to newsrooms, KWS distanced itself from the allegation which led to demonstrations by Isiolo residents on Tuesday.
“KWS is not in any way connected to the now alleged disappearance of another person in Meru in the past few days…” read the statement.
A resident of Isiolo is said to have been kidnapped in Meru by unknown people which resulted in a protest by angry residents who demanded to know his whereabouts.
Thirty-two-year old Mohammed Sheikh Abdullahi is said to have been abducted last week along Meru-Isiolo road near Kenya Methodist University while in the company of relatives.
KWS criticised the channelling of such accusations through the media saying they (the accusations) ‘… only serve to create disharmony and unnecessary animosity against KWS without the benefit of investigations to establish facts.’
Residents of Kinna in Isiolo have previously linked alleged disappearance of people in the county with the state agency.
This comes a few days after a peace meeting was held on May 21, 2015 between KWS and Kinna community.
KWS also stated that it is collaborating with the police in investigations on ‘mysterious’ disappearance of persons.
“In reference to accusations levelled by Kinna community, we have collaborated with police investigating the matter and further submitted to the request by a Senate standing Committee on Lands and Natural Resources to share a situation report on the matter,” said the statement.
The Senate team was in Isiolo last month to investigate the conflict between the residents and the wildlife agency.
KWS maintained that its relationship with the people and Isiolo county government is ‘very cordial’ and they will strive to keep it that way.
Last month, about 10 people lost their lives when KWS officers shot at them with live bullets, maiming many others.
