A kenya wildlife Service (KWS) officer was on Friday November 10 sentenced to five years in jail by Nakuru high court after he was found guilty of shooting and killing a suspected poacher at Olpito village in Narok north.
In a statement during his defence, Lesire Ole Kipees said on November 15, 2009, the suspect Obuba Osongo who had a panga turned violent when he attempted to arrest.
He was forced to shoot in the air for self defence but unfortunately he shot the deceased killing him on the spot
In her judgement, Nakuru high court Lady Justice Moureen Odero said the accused was a trained officer and knew how to use the rifle.
''Even if the deceased was armed with a panga, the accused had other options including running away or calling for assistance from nearby people. Shooting must be used as the last option. I do not believe the accused acted on self-defence and therefore I convict him of manslaughter,” said Ms Odero.
The officer has 14 days to appeal the court ruling