Court frees man in Sh2m ivory case on bond

A court in Bomet has released a middle-aged man found in possession of two elephant tusks worth Sh2.2 million. Stanley Koske was charged before Bomet Resident Magistrate Gideon Kiage with two counts of being in possession of elephant trophies and dealing in trophies without a licence.

He denied the charge and was released on a Sh1 million bond and a similar surety. He had been accused that on August 27 at Silibwet trading centre in Bomet Central at 3pm, officers arrested him with 2.5kg ivory worth Sh2.2 million.

But Koskei could not raise the amount and is in remand until Sept 10 when his case will come up for mention. Bomet Central deputy County Commissioner Josphat Mutisya said two other suspects escaped a police dragnet.