A man has been sentenced to seven years in prison for dealing in pangolin scales valued at KSh 300,000 in Taveta, Taita-Taveta County, in a case involving the illegal trade in wildlife trophies from a critically endangered species.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) secured the conviction of Musa Ngondi, who was found guilty of dealing in wildlife trophies without a permit or other lawful authorisation.
Ngondi was convicted under Section 92(2), read together with Section 105 of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act.According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on July 23, 2025, when Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers attached to the Tsavo West National Park investigation team acted on a tip-off from a member of the public.
The informant had reported that individuals at Green Park Hotel in Taveta Sub-County were in possession of pangolin scales and were looking for a buyer.
Following the report, KWS officers organised an undercover operation at the hotel, with one officer posing as a prospective buyer.The officers identified Ngondi, who arrived at the hotel with another man.
The companion later left, leaving Ngondi behind.The undercover officer then approached Ngondi and asked to see the merchandise. Ngondi reportedly removed the scales from his pocket and openly displayed them.
The scales, which were tied with nylon paper and wrapped in a piece of white netting, weighed 0.096 grams and were valued at KSh 300,000.Taveta Senior Principal Magistrate Cecilia Kithinji sentenced Ngondi after the prosecution, led by Prosecution Counsel Charles Mogaka, proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
The court granted Ngondi 14 days to appeal against the conviction and sentence.
