KWS raises concern over rising cases of ivory trafficking
Rift Valley
By
Antony Gitonga
| Jul 15, 2024
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has raised a red flag over rising cases of ivory trafficking in the last couple of months.
This came, as two suspects were arrested in Suswa along the Mai Mahiu-Narok road, and four pieces of ivory worth more than Sh4.8 million recovered.
The sting operation by KWS officers came barely a fortnight after two suspects, including a police officer, were nabbed in the same area, ferrying 29 pieces of ivory tusks.
Last month, three suspects, including a police officer, were arrested in Kajiado while ferrying more than 20 pieces of ivory to Nairobi.
READ MORE
Gold rush: How illegal gallbladder trade threatens Lake Victoria fishers
Real estate posts high productivity as challenges hit wholesale, retail sectors
How container cash deposits are creating a problem for Kenyan traders
Agencies in fresh plan to market Kenyan coffee
AI-driven smart borders transform travel security
Fresh test for Ruto as IMF urges new tax policies to unlock loans
Kenya's nuclear power plan faces significant cost hurdles
Healthcare and business: Diana Okello's journey in aviation medicine niche
How access to credit is boosting tech adoption, earnings for SMEs
'Wrong e-mail address' claim fails to stop Sh283m JKIA tender
In the latest incident, KWS officers had set up a trap when they cornered the duo travelling to Nairobi to deliver the cargo to waiting ‘customers.’
KWS Senior Warden in Naivasha Francis Mutuko said they got wind of some suspects seeking market for several pieces of ivory in their possession.
Mutoko revealed that the suspects had stayed with the tusks for over a year before the investigating officers got a tip off from the public.
“Our officers acting on a tip off managed to trap the two suspects who were travelling to Nairobi to sell the ivory and arrested them,” he said.
He decried the rising cases of ivory trafficking, saying that recovery meant that some elephants had been killed.
Mutoko said that last month, KWS officers arrested two more suspects in Wanjohi, Nyandarua, ferrying seven pieces of tusks valued at more than Sh3.8 million.
“We are deeply disturbed by resurgence of cases of ivory trafficking, which means that some people are killing elephants in different parts of the country,” he said.
He noted that in all the cases, the suspects had been taken to court and in the latest incident, the two were being interrogated by DCI officers in Naivasha.
Already, the Wildlife Training and Research Institute (WRTI) has embarked on a national wildlife census to establish the current status of wildlife population and their distribution.
The census comes in the wake of the recent drought and flooding, which killed and displaced hundreds of wildlife in various parts of the country.
WRTI Director Patrick Omondi said data obtained from census would provide information to support the development of counties' spatial plans, and protected areas and ecosystems management plans.
Dr Omondi noted that the country’s wildlife landscape was facing challenges, including poaching and increasing human and livestock population.
- Monkey business: Luhya's secret primate delicacy now faces Mpox dilemma
- Benga legend Jamaranda plans to bounce back in style
- 15-year-old girl confesses granny gave her lethal mix to abort
- Government of national unity good for Kenya, Ruto says