By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, December 30 2025 - The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has moved to calm public concern following viral social media claims accusing its officers of assault during a patrol in Elgeyo Marakwet County, insisting the incident was a lawful operation that escalated after a suspect violently resisted arrest.
In a statement issued on Monday, KFS said the allegations misrepresent events that took place on December 22, 2025, at about 10:54 a.m. within Chepyemit Beat, under the Cheptongei Forest Station. The Service noted that the incident was formally recorded at Chepyemit Police Station under Occurrence Book (OB) number 12/22/12/25, contrary to claims circulating online.
According to KFS, forest rangers on a routine protection patrol encountered an adult male actively felling indigenous trees inside a gazetted State forest. The activity, the Service said, was intended for charcoal production and constitutes an offence under Section 64 of the Forest Conservation and Management Act, 2016.
What began as an enforcement exercise quickly turned tense. KFS said that when officers attempted to carry out a lawful arrest, the suspect resisted violently, armed himself with a panga and attempted to attack one of the rangers. Faced with what it described as an imminent threat, the ranger responded using reasonable force in self-defence.
“Any injuries sustained were a direct result of the suspect’s violent resistance,” KFS said, dismissing assertions that the man was assaulted by officers.
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The Service further rejected claims that the suspect was abandoned after the confrontation. Instead, it said officers immediately offered assistance and facilitated his evacuation to Iten Teaching and Referral Hospital for medical care. Tools allegedly used in the illegal activity — a panga, an axe and a saw — were recovered from the scene and preserved as exhibits. The suspect later identified himself as Bernard Kiplagat Tarus, also known as “Kishoto”.
KFS reminded the public that forest rangers are recognised in law as public officers. Under Section 63 of the Penal Code, assaulting or resisting a public officer in the lawful execution of duty is a criminal offence.
While affirming its willingness to cooperate fully with investigations by the National Police Service and relevant oversight bodies, KFS cautioned against what it termed “trial by social media”, warning that misinformation undermines due process.
The Service reiterated its commitment to forest conservation, the safety of its officers and the observance of the law and human rights in carrying out its mandate on behalf of all Kenyans.
