Kenya: Three Charged for Trafficking Ivory

Author(s)

By Wanjohi Gakio, The Star

Date Published
THREE people were yesterday charged in Nyahururu with trafficking ivory worth Sh5 million. Leah Muthoni, Florence Wambui and Simon Ngunjiri were charged with illegal possession and transportation of wildlife trophies.

They were arrested last Thursday on the Nyahururu-Rumuruti road with four pieces of ivory . According to the charge sheet, Kenya Wildlife Services officers acting on a tip off arrested the three in a saloon car with the 49kg elephant tusks in the boot.

They were allegedly transporting the ivory to Nairobi where they intended to sell it. The suspects had allegedly collected the tusks from a farm in Laikipia West. The three, who were represented by Lawyer Martin Waichungo, all denied the charges before resident magistrate Peter Muholi.

They were released on a Sh2 million bond each with a surety of a similar amount. The suspects had earlier sought a cash bond, a move that was opposed by prosecutor Charles Mugambi. He said they are likely to escape as the charges attract a life sentence or a fine of Sh20 million. The case will be heard on June 23.

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