Two men charged with illegal possession of ivory worth Sh6.2 million in Tana River

Two men were on Thursday arraigned before the Garsen Law Courts, facing charges related to the illegal trade of wildlife trophies, specifically from an endangered species, in violation of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act.

Bosco Thoya Katana and Emmanuel Kazungu Birya pleaded not guilty to charges of dealing in elephant tusks, an offense under Section 92 of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act of 2013 before Senior Principal Magistrate Jambi Wasige at Garsen.

The prosecution alleged that on the night of September 15, 2024, around 9.30 pm, at Makuti Hotel in the Minjila area, Tana Delta Sub County, Tana River County, the accused, along with others not present in court, were found handling two elephant tusks weighing 62.42 kilogrammes, with a street value of Sh6,242,000, without the required permits.

The arrest was made following a joint operation by officers from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and Ulinzi Africa Foundation, acting on intelligence reports. The suspects were apprehended in possession of the tusks.

The tusks were later secured at the KWS offices in Garsen, while the suspects were held at Garsen Police Station before their court appearance. Authorities are actively pursuing other individuals who are believed to be involved.

One tusk weighed 32.42 kilogrammes and measured 7.4 feet in length, while the other weighed 30 kilogrammes and measured 6.5 feet. The tusks were reportedly being transported on a motorcycle at the time of the arrest.

The accused were released on a cash bail of Sh500,000 each or an alternative bond of Sh2 million each. The case is set for mention on October 2, 2024.

Authorities are intensifying their investigations as they continue to search for additional suspects involved in the illegal wildlife trade.