{UAH} Ocen/Bobby/Allan/Pojim et al: KWS Deputy Director demoted over rhino deaths

Ocen;

This is what CSs need to do once they note problems in their ministerial dockets....... not the "faaaa/fwaaaa" someone is trying to twist facts whenever URP wing is caught pants down....!

Edmund

https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001289574/heads-roll-after-kws-rhino-deaths-fiasco

KWS Deputy Director demoted over rhino deaths Standard Reporter Tourism CS Najib Balala has demoted acting Director General Dr Julius Kimani and replaced him with Dr Charles Mu...

By Standard Reporter | Published Thu, July 26th 2018 at 15:35,

Updated July 26th 2018 at 16:39 GMT +3

Tourism CS Najib Balala who has suspended top KWS scientists and wardens after10 out 14 rhinos translocated to a Tsavo East National Park sanctuary died.

Tourism CS Najib Balala has demoted acting Director General Dr Julius Kimani and replaced him with Dr Charles Musyoki who was in charge of Kenya Wildlife Service training institute in Naivasha.

Dr Kimani returns to his previous position as head of parks and reserves.

ALSO READ: Team set up to investigate rhino deaths as death toll rises to nine

The drastic changes come in the wake of the deaths of 10 out of the 14 rhinos translocated from Nakuru and Nairobi national parks to a 100-square kilometre sanctuary at Tsavo East. The latest death occurred today.

In the sweeping changes, Balala suspended top Kenya Wildlife Service scientists and wardens. According to Mr Balala, among the affected were Dr Samwel Kasiki who was the Deputy Director Bio-diversity and chief scientist.

He has been replaced by Dr Patrick Mondi from the parent ministry. Also suspended were Dr Francis Gakuya who was head of veterinary services, Dr Mohamed Omar, head of ecology, Dr Isaac Lekolool, a senior vet.

Tsavo senior scientist Fredrick Lala and senior warden Felix Mwangagi were also affected.

Balala also abolished the post of Chief Operating Officer currently held by Nehemiah Rotich and that of advisor held by Mark Jenkins.

In a high profile function Kenya Wildlife Services translocated 14 Rhinos from Lake Nakuru and Nairobi National Parks in June, 2018. Their new home was the Tsavo East National Park.

Hardly three weeks after the exercise, eight of the Rhinos were reported dead, kicking up a stink in conservation and tourism circles. KWS had explained that the animals had died after drinking saline water.

ALSO READ: Seven rhinos die mysteriously in Tsavo East

Conservationists then demanded an investigation into the cause of deaths.

A skeptical public would force KWS to display 18 horns to disapprove speculation that the rhinos had been killed by poachers.

Read more at: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001289574/heads-roll-after-kws-rhino-deaths-fiasco