Two men were arrested and charged with dealing in illegal wildlife trophies after they were found in possession of six elephant tusks weighing 51 kilograms. The suspects, Mahatma Ibrahim Mohamed and William Mutungi Sila a.k.a (Mclaine) were apprehended on March 12 at Nation Oil Petrol Station in Nairobi West while transporting the tusks in a Nissan Note, registration number KDS 339A.
According to the charge sheet, the suspects were found with the elephant tusks, valued at approximately Ksh 5.1 million, without a permit, in violation of Section 92(2) of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, CAP 376 of the Laws of Kenya. The arrest was conducted by officers from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), including CPL Desmond Ekuwom, RGR Ibrahim Chacha, Stella Konana, and SGT Joyce Muthoni.
The accused were arraigned at the CMS JKIA Law Court on March 13 and were released on a 2m bond or alternative 1m cash bail. The court scheduled a pre-trial conference for March 26, 2025, where further proceedings will be determined.
Kenya has strict laws against wildlife crimes, and authorities have intensified efforts to curb poaching and the illegal trade in animal trophies. If convicted, the suspects could face heavy fines or lengthy prison sentences, underscoring the government’s commitment to protecting endangered species.
The case continues to draw attention from conservationists and law enforcement agencies, as they emphasize the need for vigilance in tackling illegal wildlife trade.
