5 Teenagers Shot Outside Church Over Fishing Dispute

The recent shooting incident involving Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officials and residents in Barut ward, near Lake Nakuru, has sparked outrage and highlighted the ongoing tensions regarding wildlife conservation efforts.

The incident occurred on Saturday, May 25th, and left five individuals injured including a Form 2 student. Reportedly, KWS officers opened fire on them during a crackdown on illegal fishing activities. Lilian Wanga, a resident and mother of one of the victims, narrates the distressing events. She states that her 17-year-old son and other youth were engaged in church activities when KWS officials unexpectedly arrived and began firing live bullets, causing chaos and panic. The youth fled the church, but several were shot and fell on the road, sustaining severe injuries.

Wanga found her son and others lying injured on the ground and rushed them to the Nakuru level IV hospital using a motorbike. One of her children had been shot in the left leg, resulting in severe bleeding, while another had a bullet lodged in the spinal cord. Others sustained injuries to their hand and hip joint. Doctors are working tirelessly to stabilize the condition of the victims. The incident has sparked outrage among residents in Barut ward who have called on the government to intervene and address the cases of harassment they face from KWS officers.

Wanga explains that when water levels in Lake Nakuru rise and fish spill out, residents resort to collecting them for sustenance and to generate income as many struggle with poverty and rely on fishing to make ends meet or pay school fees. However, these activities often lead to confrontations with KWS officers enforcing conservation laws. Earlier in May, KWS faced scrutiny after locals accused them of arresting a young man and throwing him into Lake Nakuru. The Kenya Wildlife Service has yet to issue an official statement regarding the shooting.