Man arraigned in court for assaulting a forest ranger in Mau Forest

A middle aged man was Monday arraigned in a Narok Court on charges of assaulting a Kenya Forest Services (KFS) Ranger in the Maasai Mau forest and seriously injuring him.
The accused, Joel Kipyegon Cheborgei alias Chuck Norris was charged that on October 4, 2019 at Kipchoge area in Narok South Sub County he unlawfully did grievous harm to KFS Ranger Victor Mwendwa by shooting him with an arrow on the thigh.
Cheborgei pleaded not guilty to the charges before Narok Chief Magistrate Ms. Wilbroda Juma.
He was remanded in prison until October 11 when his pre-bail report will be availed before court. The prosecution had prayed that the accused be remanded for 10 days to allow them to complete investigations.
The accused had applied to be released on bond in order to seek medical attention saying he had been tortured and injured during his arrest. He also said he had a family of seven children for whom he is the sole bread winner.
Chief Magistrate Wilbroda Juma also ordered that the accused be taken to Narok Referral hospital for treatment by prison authorities.
The trial of the case has now been set to commence on November 1, 2019.
Cheborgei is believed to be among a group of armed youth who on Friday night shot and injured the said Kenya Forest Service (KFS) ranger with an arrow in the leg.
The victim and other rangers were patrolling Kipchoge area in Maasai Forest on Friday night in a disputed area with impending eviction of illegal settlers when they were attacked by a group of youth who are resisting the eviction.
By Mabel Keya – Shikuku / Joseph Kariuki