Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos was caught in a gun drama involving a drunk forest guard. he officer threatened to open fire on the governor if he got into Takwei Primary School in Cherang’any Chebororwa Ward that the officer said was within a forest station.
Tolgos was inspecting projects when he ran into the hostile officer who was then dressed in civilian clothing.”Mnataka nini hapa (what do you want here)? ” the ranger asked the Governor’s entourage.
The school is adjacent to the forest station, where the forest guard is attached to. The officer started insulting the governor and threatened to shoot.
Within a minute, the officer disappeared only to resurface having put on his jungle jacket, and armed with his G3 rifle, while yelling.
He cocked, aiming at the governor before his forest guard colleagues wrestled and disarmed him. He was locked in a room to sober up as the governor continued with his tour.
After the incident, the governor said the forest rangers should be moved out of the school compound. “We cannot allow this to happen… how can we have security officers living in a school compound especially when they are this drunk,” said the Governor, adding that he would raise the issue with the Kenya Forest Service.
The residents claimed the Rangers burn charcoal and engage in illegal logging. “The drunk officer was perhaps irked by the presence of the government delegation and most likely feared the visit would expose their illegal activities in the forest,” said resident Paul Kibet.