Five poachers were on Saturday night gunned down on the Kapenguria-Ortum road in West Pokotc ounty.

Three AK 47 guns with 15 rounds of ammunition and six pieces of ivory tasks weighing about 50kg were recovered from the suspects.

OCPD David Wambua, who visited the scene, said a Kenya Wildlife Service driver was seriously injured during the shooting and was airlifted to Nairobi for specialised treatment. Wambua said KWS officers tracked the poachers near Chepkorniswo area where they were told to surrender but they defied orders.

The OCPD said the poachers started firing at the KWS officers. Wambua said they suspect the poachers were from Nasolot Game Reserve where incidences of poaching and trading of ivory are rampant. The police boss said the incident occurred around 11pm on Saturday night.

Officers from the KWS, led by assistant director George Osuri, visited the area. Speaking to the press at the police station, Communication minister Samuel Poghisio called for proper investigations into the incident. Poghisio said members of the public o work with the authorities to end poaching.