Police in Nanyuki have launched a manhunt for a four-man gang
after it threatened to set ablaze a Kenya Forest Service Camp following seizing
more than 120 cedar poles.
The gang under the police watch is living in Kanyoni village at
the edge of Mt Kenya Forest where it is involved in felling down trees for sale
to the saw millers in the town and beyond.
Laikipia East Deputy County Commissioner Patrick Muli
asked the residents to volunteer information pertaining to the gang, after the
members and their accomplices issued verbal threats to the KFS rangers over the
confiscation of the poles smuggled out of the Mt Kenya Water Catchment.
In a security baraza, Muli who was accompanied by the
local police commander John Tarus said the gang he named was also threatening
the residents while terrorizing and stealing potatoes from their farms.
“ The security team is aware that the four members committed
criminal activities elsewhere only to seek refuge in the Kanyoni area,
spending their evening in makeshift huts in the forest,” said Muli.
Tarus said Kanyoni village despite being at the edge
of Nanyuki town and borders the military barracks was leading in bhang
smoking, with some of the youth specializing in growing the stuff in the
forest.
“The multi-agency team is concerned with the negative
demonstrated by the youth in the village and thus the need for the parents to
have a candid discussion with their children for a brighter future,” said
Tarus.
The Kenya Wildlife Service team reported it had
killed more than 60 dogs that were used by the residents in the game hunting
expeditions.
The team recounted how the game meat was being sold in the
village, a trend that should come to an end for the interest of the national
heritage.
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