Police arrest KWS ranger on suspicion of aiding illegal Ethiopian immigrants

A map of Wajir County. A Kenya Wildlife Service ranger was arrested in Garsekoftu, Wajir West, on suspicion of helping to transport illegal Ethiopian immigrants. GRAPHIC | GOOGLE MAP

What you need to know:

  • A KWS ranger from Isiolo was arrested in Wajir as he was in official uniform and had an official gun, but he could not explain what he was doing in the area.
  • Police suspect he helps to transport illegal Ethiopian immigrants.

A Kenya Wildlife Service officer from Isiolo KWS is being held at Wajir Police Station on suspicion of helping to transport illegal Ethiopians immigrants into Kenya.

Wajir County Commander Stephen Ng’etich said officer John Kioko was arrested at Garsekoftu, Wajir West. He was donning an official service uniform and was armed with an official rifle.

SUSPECT

The commander said that upon interrogation, the officer could not give satisfactory explanations on his motive in the area and he was arrested.

He added that they had begun investigations to ascertain whether he has been among officers illegally aiding the transportation of Ethiopians into Kenya using the Wajir route.

The commander added that they were investigating claims that an Administration Police officer from Isiolo was working with the suspect and could have evaded the police during the KWS ranger’s arrest.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

Over the last month, more than 100 illegal immigrants have been arrested in parts of the county.

The latest was the arrest of 52 illegal immigrants at Qalla Arbajahan, Wajir West Sub-County. They were sentenced to six months in prison after which they would be repatriated.

Most of the illegal immigrants are transported using lorries.