A-17-year old boy was shot dead by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) rangers at Tsavo National Park on Friday.
Benedict Kyule, a Form Four student at Kiuani secondary school in Kibwezi East Sub-county was allegedly poaching in company of another man who reportedly escaped during the incident.
The deceased's father Kioko Kasangili said his son called him at 4.00 am on the fateful day saying he had been shot hence needed help.
Kasangili said his son told him he had been shot on the arm and leg hence was unable to walk.
"I received a call from my son telling me to hurry up and help him because he had gunshot wounds. He said he was at Tsavo National Park hiding in a thicket," Kasangili said.
He addressed the press in Kibwezi on Sunday.
Kasangili said he instead went to Mtito Andei police station to report the incident after neighbors convinced him that it was dangerous to go to the park.
He said police told him that there was no such a case reported at the station, he was told to wait at the station as KWS officers were being contacted.
Kasangili said he was surprised when a land cruiser belonging to KWS arrived at the station ferrying lifeless body belonging to his son, which he was asked to identify.
"The officers directed me to the rangers at the parking lot where I was asked to confirm if the dead person was my child," Kasangili said.
He said he was shocked to see wounds on the deceased's leg, hand and chest contrary to what the boy had earlier told him on phone.
"I said that the body belonged to my son but I was shocked to see a wound on his chest. Probably, he was killed thereafter after I reported," he said.
Kasangili said the rangers showed him a G3 rifle which they claimed was recovered from his son.
He added that the rangers left the station and returned with an AK-47 rifle which they claimed belonged to the man who escaped.
"I may not know why my son was in the park at night because we all went to sleep after supper, but I know he didn't have a gun. Also, the rangers should have arrested him instead of shooting him to death," he added.
Kibwezi police boss Ben Chagulo confirmed the incident.
He said it's true the boy was shot at the park and investigations we're underway.
It's not clear whether the boy was killed by the officers who shot him first or others.
This writer's efforts to reach KWS' Spokesperson Paul Gathitu hit a dead end after he failed to pick calls, he didn't respond to text messages either.
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