Police in Lugari are investigating an incident where a man died while two others sustained serious injuries after a lorry they were using to transport stolen logs of trees from Lugari Forest was involved in an accident inside the forest.
The accident occurred after the lorry loaded with logs lost control as it joined Makutano – St. Paul’s Road and fell with logs falling on the deceased and his two friends who are being treated in hospital.
Reuben Konzolo told KNA that he received the shocking news of his elder brother Isaac Adisa 59 death from Mr. David Asiyenga who they were together with when the accident occurred.
Konzolo regretted that the death of his brother had left a big gap as he was the only breadwinner in his family.
“His death is a big blow to us. As a family we remain shocked,” mourned Mr. Konzolo.
After the incidents, the deceased body was removed from the scene and hidden in a thicket inside the forest as the lorry was also removed from the scene and hid at an unknown place.
According to Lugari primary school guard Patrick Lumumba, as he was heading to work at around 5am, he saw a canter lorry which had fell in a ditch and logs of trees were being removed by a tractor.
The deceased family led by the mother Jane Konzolo and Mugumu village elder Manasseh Kegode, have called for speedy investigation into the incident.
The injured were rescued by fellow illegal loggers and rushed to Naitiri Health center in the neighbouring Bungoma County.
Forest officers said they were not aware of the incident that occurred less than 300 meters from their office.
Outgoing Lugari Sub County Deputy County Commissioner William Lenaremo said police are working closely with Forest officers, eye witnesses and other relevant players to find out what happened.
“I am meeting Lugari Forest Officers and security team members to find out whether there is illegal logging in the forest,” he said.
The body was removed by officers from Lumakanda police station and taken to Chebaiywa mortuary in the neighboring Uasin Gishu County.
This comes barely a week after a tree nursery worker was found dead in the forest with private parts injured.
