Kenya Prisons lorries seized by police for carrying timber

Police in Eldama Ravine, Baringo County are holding three Kenya Prisons Service lorries after they were found transporting timber from Koibatek on Tuesday evening.

The three lorries, currently at the Koibatek divisional police headquarters are loaded with 21 tonnes of timber.

Koibatek OCPD Anne Kamau said that she received information from the area Deputy County Commissioner Mary Muchene that the three lorries were spotted transporting timber in Metipso area.

All the lorries were being driven by Kenya Prisons wardens who even had authorised work tickets signed by senior officers in the rank of senior sergeant and Senior superintendent.

Ms Kamau said that the officers claimed that they were transporting the timber to industrial area prisons industry.

The police boss confirmed that the officers did not have authorisation documents to transport timber from the Kenya Forest Service.

“We are waiting for the documents from their headquarters as investigations continue,” said Ms Kamau.

Although she said that no one has been arrested in connection with the incident, a source at the station said that the three wardens were booked at Eldama Ravine police station.

Meanwhile, in Nakuru town, police are holding one suspect and a probox vehicle that was impounded while transporting charcoal in Mogotio.

The driver was stopped by KFS rangers while headed to Nakuru but instead made a U turn prompting a chase.

KFS regional commandant David Mutoro confirmed on phone that the suspect will be arraigned in court.