Samples of two white rhinos killed at a private ranch in Laikipia county last week will be flown to South Africa for investigations.

Kenya Wildlife Service acting director William Kiprono on Saturday led a team of senior officers from Nairobi to the scene at Ol Jogi Ranch.

Last week on Thursday, the ranch owner reported that the rhinos had been killed and horn taken away.

Kiprono said the security team, which involves criminal investigators, is in possession of crucial leads that will lead to the arrest of the suspects.

"We will not rush with the probe because we want to conduct thorough and professional investigations," he said on the phone.

KWS said the poachers made away with two rhino horn.

This marks the first rhino poaching incident this year.

KWS is working on a strategy to address emerging threats to wildlife on private ranches.