19 arrested for illegal logging at Tsavo National Park

The Kenya Wildlife Service officers have arrested 19 people in the Tsavo West National park following an assertion of deforestation.

Twelve others managed to escape upon the realization that they were being pursued by the police.

Those arrested admitted to have been living in the National Park for several years carrying out illegal logging for sculpture purposes.

The 19, who included three women, defended their actions by saying that they felt it was okay to snip from the government rather than them terrorizing their fellow citizen in the area.

Senior Warden Tsavo West National Park Josephat Elupe says the arrested persons have been destroying the rare types of trees and the environment.

The three women confessed to earning earning  Ksh 150 for every jelican of water they sold to the deforestators.

The law breakers claimed to have acquired tactics on how to fight wild animals and that is how they had managed to stay safe.

Elupe says those who escaped were being tracked by officers and are known by their names.

He warned those destroying the environment will be dealt with mercilessly.

By Linah Wangari