Two people have been arrested in Machakos County after they were allegedly found transporting elephant tusks weighing 12 kilogrammes and valued at approximately Ksh1.2 million.
The suspects were intercepted while allegedly carrying the ivory on a motorcycle during a multi-agency operation, according to Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Machakos County officer-in-charge Ismael Kiprop.
Kiprop said preliminary investigations indicate that the tusks were being transported for delivery to an undisclosed destination within Machakos County.
He described Machakos as an emerging hotspot for the trafficking of wildlife trophies and warned members of the public against engaging in the illegal trade.
“The suspects will face prosecution,” Kiprop said, as authorities intensified efforts to curb the trafficking of wildlife products in the county.
The latest arrests bring to at least 10 the number of people arrested in Machakos over wildlife-related offences in the past one-and-a-half months.
According to KWS, eight of those arrested were allegedly linked to trafficking in wildlife trophies, while two others were arrested for allegedly possessing bushmeat.
In a previous operation, authorities recovered 13 kilogrammes of wildlife trophies estimated to be worth Ksh1.3 million.
The two latest suspects are being held at Machakos Police Station pending their arraignment at the Machakos Law Courts, where they are expected to face charges related to the alleged illegal possession and trafficking of wildlife trophies.
