The KWS runs the country's famous national parks

Kenya Wildlife Service director Evans Mukolwe is presently being investigated by corruption officials.

Kenya's Anti-Corruption Commission says investigations show 520 of nearly 1,000 trainee rangers were employed on the recommendations of politicians.

The government is waging a high-profile campaign against corruption.

"There is a talk of bribery and favourism in the whole exercise," an unnamed KACC official told AFP news agency.

President Mwai Kibaki was elected in 2001 promising to fight corruption.

Kenya was found to be slightly less corrupt than last year in a recent survey by Transparency International.