Two men were charged with illegal possession and trafficking of elephant tusks valued at Ksh6.2 million in a Garsen law court on Thursday, September 19, 2024. The suspects, Bosco Thoya Katana and Emmanuel Kazungu Birya, faced charges for dealing in elephant tusks contrary to Section 92 of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act. Both men pleaded not guilty to the charges before Senior Principal Magistrate Jambi Wasige.
The charges stemmed from an incident on September 15, 2024, when the two were apprehended at approximately 9:30 PM at Makuti Hotel in the Minjila area, located in Tana Delta Sub County. Katana and Birya were allegedly in possession of two elephant tusks weighing a total of 62.42 kilograms. The tusks, valued at Ksh6,242,000, were found to have been illegally obtained, and the suspects had no valid permit to possess or transport the tusks.
Joint Operation Leads to Arrest
The arrest was the result of a successful joint operation involving Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers and members of the Ulinzi Africa Foundation, a non-governmental organization focused on wildlife conservation. Acting on intelligence reports, the officers were able to intercept the suspects and recover the elephant tusks during the operation.
Authorities revealed that the two tusks were in the process of being transported when the suspects were arrested. The tusks—one weighing 32.42 kilograms and measuring 7.4 feet, and the other weighing 30 kilograms and measuring 6.5 feet—were reportedly being transported on a motorcycle. This type of transportation, while risky, has become a common method among traffickers trying to move illicit wildlife products through remote areas to avoid detection by law enforcement.
Value of the Seized Tusks
The seized tusks, weighing over 60 kilograms in total, represent a significant loss to Kenya’s wildlife heritage. The illegal wildlife trade, especially in elephant tusks, remains a serious concern in the country, as it contributes to the declining elephant population, particularly in rural areas like the Tana Delta. The tusks are believed to have originated from elephants poached within the region, a troubling trend that has been on the rise due to the lucrative black market for ivory.
The Kenya Wildlife Service has repeatedly emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between local communities and conservation agencies to combat poaching and wildlife trafficking. This case highlights the vital role that intelligence gathering and rapid response by wildlife agencies play in addressing illegal trade and protecting Kenya’s iconic wildlife species.
Court Proceedings and Bail
During their court appearance, both Katana and Birya denied any involvement in the illegal possession or trafficking of the elephant tusks. Despite their pleas of innocence, the court set strict bail terms, requiring the suspects to pay Ksh500,000 each as cash bail or, alternatively, a bond of Ksh2 million each to secure their release. As part of the bail conditions, the court imposed restrictions on the suspects’ movements and ordered them to report to the nearest police station regularly while awaiting further legal proceedings.
The tusks recovered from the suspects were taken to the Kenya Wildlife Service offices in Garsen, where they will be kept as evidence while the case progresses. The court set October 2, 2024, as the mention date for the case, when both the prosecution and defense will provide updates on the case’s progress.
Conclusion
This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle between wildlife conservationists and the illegal ivory trade. Despite stricter penalties under Kenya’s Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, wildlife trafficking remains a persistent challenge. The collaboration between KWS and the Ulinzi Africa Foundation demonstrates that efforts to curb these activities are ongoing, but much work remains to protect the country’s vulnerable wildlife from poachers and traffickers. The upcoming court proceedings will be watched closely, as conservationists hope for justice to be served in this high-stakes case of wildlife crime.
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