The Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) has found itself on the receiving end following the death of a rare bird that flew from Finland to Kenya.
KWS on Monday announced that the rare migratory bird known as Osprey, that is believed to have flied over 6,000 kilometres, succumbed to long-term starvation.
The announcement did not go well with a section of Kenyans who took to social media to criticise KWS for causing the death of the bird of the prey.
Renowned activist Boniface Mwangi revisited the death of Baby Pendo, who was killed by police during the 2017 post election violence, saying Kenya does not take care of its citizens and, therefore, it should not be depended upon to save life of a bird.
"This is not new! A country that treats it's citizens worse than animals cannot be trusted to take care of a bird. Kenya is that country that killed a 6 month's old baby, Baby Pendo," Mwangi tweeted.
Political commentator and columnist Gabriel Oguda also waded into the issue, claiming the bird died due to KWS's negligence, just like 11 rhinos died in 2018 after they were translocated to Tsavo East National Park.
"Dear, KWS- You force-fed 11 rhinos salty water to death, we won't be shocked to hear you gave this bird soapy water to drink. If Finland sends a delegation to ask Kenyans to pay for this death, you people will have to sell your personal property, because sisi hatuna pesa (we don't have money)" Oguda said.
KWS Spokesman Paul Udoto confirmed the death of the bird, saying the agency had tried its best to treat the bird the bruises it got when it was fished out of the waters of Lake Kanyaboli in Siaya County.
"We regret to announce the death of the Osprey bird despite all efforts to rehabilitate it back into the wild," he said in a statement.
"By the time the bird was delivered to the city, it had been severely dehydrated, weak and emaciated from the long flight and minor injuries while trapped by the fishing net," Udoto added.