Court told how forest rangers broke into KDF soldier's home and stole items
Crime and Justice
By
Julius Chepkwony
| Apr 30, 2026
Five Kenya Forest Service (KFS) rangers accused of breaking into a store and stealing property belonging to a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officer in Eldama Ravine allegedly carried out the act in his absence, a court has heard.
Salim Kibet, a neighbour to soldier Johana Kiptoo, told Eldama Ravine Senior Principal Magistrate Boaz Ombewa that, on September 30, 2022, at about 2pm, the five rangers went to his home inquiring about Kiptoo’s whereabouts.
“They came to my home and asked about the whereabouts of my neighbour Johana Kiptoo. I told them he had travelled to Eldama Ravine town, and they requested for his phone number,” Kibet testified.
According to Kibet, the rangers, identified as Nelson Ayodi, Erick Obare, Willy Mutai, Richard Kirui and Charles Masai used his phone to speak to Kiptoo before proceeding to his home.
READ MORE
Vodafone to take control of UK operator
Germany firm BioNTech to cut up to 1,860 jobs as Covid jab sales drop
Ruto allocates more funds to sectors likely to win him votes in 2027
Revealed: Consumption outpacing recycling of waste
Packaged Githeri? The rise of ready-to-eat meals
Firm bets on financial inclusion to unlock boda boda sector growth
Leave Nganyas alone: They define Kenyan culture and creativity
Absa unveils Sh100bn asset finance plan
They are charged with breaking into a store at Kiptoo’s homestead in Koibatek before allegedly stealing property valued at Sh199,640.
Items listed in the charge sheet include 102 cypress posts, 10 cedar posts, four-and-a-half bags of maize, and four metal doors, among other belongings.
The neighbour told the court he witnessed the officers breaking into the store using a panga, claiming they were recovering cedar posts allegedly stolen from Chemosusu Forest.
“I witnessed as they broke the store using a panga, claiming they wanted to recover cedar posts stolen from Chemosusu Forest,” he said.
Kibet added that, after breaking into the store, the rangers carried away cypress and cedar posts, four-and-a-half sacks of maize grain, four sacks of charcoal, water pipes and a power saw, among other items.
Before the arrest and arraignment of the officers, Kiptoo sought the intervention of the High Court to compel action.
Following his application, Justice Rachel Ngetich directed that the forest rangers be charged with breaking into a building, committing a felony, stealing and malicious damage to property: offences the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) had recommended on January 8, 2025.
The court also barred the National Police Service and the ODPP from terminating the prosecution without judicial approval and prohibited police from threatening Kiptoo or his family.
In his application, Kiptoo said he was on duty on September 20, 2022, when he received news that his home had been raided.