A middle-aged man was charged Tuesday before the Nakuru Magistrate’s Court for dealing in and possessing a specified endangered wildlife trophy without a permit.
The accused was allegedly found at Septet Sub-location, Tegat Location, Elburgon Ward, Nakuru County, on March 29 2025, at approximately 1720 hours, dealing in an elephant tusk weighing 47.3 kilograms, with an estimated street value of Sh4.7 million, without a valid permit or lawful exemption.
It is alleged that the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) received intelligence about an individual suspected of possessing an endangered wildlife trophy and actively seeking a buyer.
Acting on this information, an undercover officer, accompanied by the informant, proceeded to Septet Village, Tegat Location, Elburgon Ward.
Upon arrival, the officer met the suspect and confirmed the authenticity of the elephant tusk.
The tusk was subsequently weighed and verified at 47.4 kilograms, leading to the suspect’s arrest by KWS officers.
The accused denied the charges and was granted a bond of Sh150,000 or a cash bail of Sh100,000.
The matter will be mentioned on 29th April 2025.
Elephant tusks fetch a fortune in the black market as a surge in demand for ivory in the East continues to fuel the illicit trade in elephant tusks, especially from Africa.
Officials say despite a ban on the international trade in ivory, African elephants are still being poached in large numbers.
As part of efforts to stop the menace, Kenya has started using high-tech surveillance equipment, including drones, to track poachers and keep tabs on elephants and rhinos.
KWS and stakeholders have put in place mechanisms to eradicate all forms of wildlife crime, particularly poaching.
These mechanisms include enhanced community education, interagency collaboration, and intensive intelligence-led operations, among others.
