Two people have been arrested in Machakos County after they were allegedly found transporting elephant tusks weighing 12 kilograms and valued at about KSh1.2 million.
The suspects were intercepted while allegedly carrying the ivory on a motorcycle during a multi-agencyoperation in the county. Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Machakos County officer-in-charge Ismael Kiprop confirmed the arrests, saying authorities believe the tusks were being transported to an undisclosed destination within Machakos.
Kiprop said the arrest is part of ongoing efforts by security and wildlife authorities to stop the illegalmovement and trade of wildlife trophies in the county. He warned members of the public against taking part in the illegal wildlife trade, noting that those found involved will face prosecution.
According to Kiprop, at least 10 people have been arrested in Machakos over wildlife-related offences in the past one-and-a-half months. Eight of those arrested are suspected to have been involved in wildlife trophy trafficking, while two others were found in possession of bushmeat.
The arrests come as authorities continue to conduct joint operations aimed at identifying and stopping people involved in the illegal wildlife trade. The recovered elephant tusks, which weigh 12 kilogrammes, are estimated to have a street value of KSh1.2 million, highlighting the financial incentive behind the illegal trade.
Kiprop also disclosed that an earlier operation in the county resulted in the recovery of 13 kilogrammes of wildlife trophies valued at approximately KSh1.3 million.
The two latest suspects are currently being held at Machakos Police Station as they await arraignment at the Machakos Law Courts. Authorities are expected to present the suspects in court to face charges related to the possession and transportation of the wildlife trophies.
KWS has continued to urge members of the public to avoid participating in wildlife trafficking and to report suspicious activities involving the movement or sale of wildlife products.