Leaders have condemned the 70-year-old man's attack by Kenya Wildlife Service officers in Matungulu, Machakos County.
Politician Charles Kilonzo said it's sad that KWS officers value wildlife more than human beings.
Kilonzo said the officers should follow the due procedure when arresting suspects.
"The latest news about KWS brutality have been going round, wildlife can't be compared to human life because the animals were made for us and not vice versa," Kilonzo said.
He spoke to this writer in Tala town on Wednesday.
Kilonzo said though Kenyans want tourism to thrive, it should not be at the expense of lives.
His sentiments were echoed by Kyeleni MCA Josephat Kasyoki who said the police were wrong to man handle the old man who could not fight back.
"Even though the man was wrong to extract stones from the area, the officers shouldn't have used that as reason to beat him up," Kasyoki said.
Muka Mukuu Farmers Cooperative Society chairman Dominic Nthwao said KWS should ensure a fence is erected so as to keep animals out.
"If there was a fence, then stray animals wouldn't have gotten to the park. A fence will settle the dispute between the residents and the officers," Nthwao said.
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