Three nabbed by KWS in elephant ivory bust, six tusks recovered
The suspects were intercepted at the Siakago-Kiritiri Junction while in possession of 48 kilograms of elephant tusks, which had been hidden in two gunny bags.
A coordinated operation between detectives stationed in Mbeere South and officers from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has led to the arrest of three individuals suspected of involvement in wildlife trafficking. Authorities also recovered six elephant tusks during the operation.
The suspects Michael Kariuki Kithaka, Morris Kariuki Njuki, and Margaret Syombua Mutua, were apprehended in Mbeere South, an area situated near Mount Kenya National Park.
The region has long grappled with challenges such as human-wildlife conflict and environmental degradation driven by poverty.
The suspects were intercepted at the Siakago-Kiritiri Junction while in possession of 48 kilograms of elephant tusks, which had been hidden in two gunny bags.
The three suspects have been placed in custody until June 11, 2025, as the court awaits a pre-bail report, signaling that judicial proceedings are underway while investigations continue.
They are facing charges related to the unlawful possession and trafficking of wildlife trophies from a protected species, in violation of Kenya’s Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (No. 47 of 2013).
Kenya’s Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (No. 47 of 2013) outlines a robust legal structure for the safeguarding, regulation, and sustainable use of wildlife across public, private, and communal lands, including the nation’s territorial waters.
Under this legislation, it is illegal to possess wildlife trophies such as ivory or rhino horn without an official certificate of ownership.
The law imposes heavy penalties for violations dealers may face fines of up to KSh 30,000 or imprisonment for a maximum of five years, while other individuals can be fined up to KSh 10,000 or jailed for up to three years.
In some cases, both penalties may apply, along with the forfeiture of confiscated items.
The Act also strictly prohibits the export of specific wildlife trophies, including elephant tusks, without valid permits, reinforcing the illegality of unauthorised possession or trafficking of such items.
Kenya remains a critical player in the global wildlife trade, functioning both as a source and a transit hub for high-demand commodities like ivory.
According to a 2016 TRAFFIC report, Kilindini Port in Mombasa and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi are key exit points for smuggled wildlife products, with much of the ivory headed for markets in Asia.
