Leaders and representatives from Tana River County have united to denounce the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) over what they describe as rampant human rights violations, corruption, and boundary disputes affecting the Orma community.
The leaders voiced their concerns during a press conference at Voi High Court earlier this month following the controversial arrest of several community members by KWS Rangers in the Alango region, an area historically claimed by the Orma people.
Abdilahi Dido, a lawyer representing the Orma community, highlighted the ongoing conflict over land ownership in Alango.
According to Dido, KWS has unjustly arrested over 25 individuals on charges of trespassing in what the agency claims is part of a national park.
However, Dido insists that Alango, a region bearing an Orma name, has long been the property of the Orma community.
“Alango is a name from Orma Community. But that is where they arrest people and they claim that it’s a National Park and then they bring them here,” said Dido
“It is quite unfair for KWS to arrest our people and leave their livestock with nobody to take care of them, vulnerable to predation by lions,” he added.
He also accused KWS of violating a court order from the Garsen Environment and Land Court (ELC), which explicitly prohibits interference with land usage in the disputed areas.
Dido further criticized KWS for its harsh treatment of the Orma community, noting that the organization appears to prioritize wildlife over human lives.
“Elephants are busy destroying farms and killing people outside the National Park. But you cannot protect human beings. You cannot protect our people from elephants and lions. While on the other hand, when you find our people or our cattle inside the National Park or lands which you claim is National Park, which are actually not, you arrest our people and you torture them. So unfortunate,” said the Lawyer.
The lawyer also condemned the use of helicopters to chase cattle, leading to injuries and miscarriages among the animals. “They are using helicopters sometimes to chase the heads of cattle and some cattle fall down, some of them even miscarriage. We have seen such incidences,” he added.
Despite these challenges, Dido expressed optimism, revealing that 17 of the arrested individuals had been released, with nine more expected to be freed on Monday.
Ali Wario, the Member of Parliament for Garsen, echoed Dido’s sentiments, emphasizing the economic significance of the livestock sector in Tana River, stating that it contributes 98% of the county’s revenue.
Wario accused KWS of exploiting the ongoing boundary dispute between Tsavo East National Park and the Tana River community to harass and extort money from impoverished and illiterate residents.
Wario disclosed that this has been their business for years, alleging that KWS has killed over 14 people in the last seven years, with some victims reportedly fed to crocodiles and lions.
“So, this is their business. They have been doing it. They have killed more than 14 people for the last seven years. They kill people, they throw to crocodiles or to the lions to feast on them. This is the injustices they are doing to our people,” he stated.
The MP also criticized KWS for denying the community access to water, particularly during the dry season.
He cited a recent statement by President William Ruto, who emphasized that no one should be denied water.
Wario accused KWS of closing off crucial corridors to the River Galana, exacerbating the suffering of both people and livestock. He also called for the removal of the KWS Director General, Mr. Erustus Kanga, whom he described as arrogant and dictatorial.
“The DG KWS called us for a meeting but he was so arrogant. He can’t listen even to leaders. If you want to make a point, he just shortcut you. He’s a dictator. We can’t listen to him and we are appealing to the President that the orders he has given should be written and delivered to KWS because KWS has stand to be an animal killing our people, beating up our people,” said the MP.
“He must be changed so that KWS can run smoothly because that is the injustice we are experiencing,” he added.
Wario demanded that those arrested be tried in local courts like the Garsen High Court, rather than being taken to distant locations like Kitui or Voi.
Ambassador Hussein Dado, who was present during the court proceedings, expressed relief at the release of minors who had been arrested for grazing their livestock within the disputed park boundaries.
He acknowledged the cooperation of KWS in this instance and praised the court for its leniency.
Dado revealed that he had met with the KWS Director General, and they had agreed to form a committee to address the community’s water needs during the dry season.
“We sat with him together with his officers and agreed that we will make a committee that will work together with elders and leaders form the region so that during this dry season, a way can be made so that animals can also get water and also ensuring that the community and KWS live harmoniously,” said Dado.
Osman Galole, the Speaker of the Tana River County Assembly, stressed the importance of supporting the arrested youths, particularly the minors who were released unconditionally.
Galole highlighted the need for long-term solutions, such as the construction of water pans and dams, to prevent future conflicts. He emphasized that the community’s rights must be protected and that leaders would continue to stand by those still detained.
The leaders unanimously called on KWS to treat the community with the respect they deserve, stressing that human lives are more valuable than animals.
They condemned the practice of transporting arrested individuals to distant courts and demanded that legal proceedings be conducted locally to avoid further humiliation of the livestock keepers.
