Rebecca Miano, cabinet secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, said in a statement issued on Saturday that 15 of the deaths were recorded between June 24 and July 24, while three more were reported last week.
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Miano said the ongoing investigations were yet to establish criminal culpability, adding that the government would allow the investigative and judicial processes to run their course and prosecute anyone found to have unlawfully killed, poisoned or harmed wildlife.
She said the Kenya Wildlife Service, in collaboration with security, investigative and scientific agencies, has intensified its inquiries into the cause of the deaths, noting that comprehensive field investigations, laboratory analysis and environmental sampling have already been undertaken.
According to Miano, preliminary laboratory results point to the probable involvement of a toxic substance, with earlier indications suggesting that cyanide poisoning may have resulted from the ingestion of pesticide-contaminated tomatoes from farms adjacent to wildlife habitats.
However, Miano noted that these findings remain subject to further scientific verification before the investigation is deemed complete.
The official emphasized that the government will enhance monitoring of risks arising from the misuse, illegal application, trafficking or careless handling of hazardous substances that may endanger wildlife, people and ecosystems.
