Two men from Malindi have been sentenced to pay fines of KSh20 million each, with life imprisonment as the alternative, after being convicted of possessing endangered wildlife trophies without lawful permits.
The convicts, Nzai Kazungu Nzai and Nzai Ruwa Kapombe, were found guilty by Senior Principal Magistrate Joy Shiundu Wesonga for possessing endangered wildlife trophies contrary to Section 92(4), as read with Section 105 of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act.
In her judgment, Magistrate Wesonga ruled that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt through the testimony of five witnesses.
The court further dismissed the defence presented by the two men, noting that they had failed to provide legal documentation authorising their possession of the wildlife trophies.
“The court has considered the defence advanced by the accused persons and finds that it does not raise reasonable doubt against the prosecution’s case,” the magistrate ruled.
How the Wildlife Trophies Were Recovered
Court proceedings revealed that on January 17, 2025, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers intercepted a motorcycle bearing registration number KMFP 849U at Shell Petrol Station, near Naivas Supermarket in Malindi.
The motorcycle was carrying the two men, with one riding and the other travelling as a pillion passenger. They had luggage wrapped in a polythene sheet and secured with nylon straps.
A search conducted in their presence led to the recovery of nine pieces of elephant tusks weighing 5.8 kilogrammes, with an estimated street value of KSh580,000.
Officers also recovered one leopard skin and one cheetah skin concealed inside a white and yellow sack wrapped in the polythene sheet.
The prosecution established that the two men did not possess permits authorising them to keep the wildlife trophies.
Court Orders Handover of Recovered Trophies
In addition to the fines, the court ordered that the recovered exhibits be handed over to the Kenya Wildlife Service for safe custody or destruction in accordance with the law.
The case was prosecuted by Barack Chirchir and Benjamin Wambua.
The two convicts have 14 days to exercise their right of appeal against the judgment.
The ruling underscores the legal consequences of possessing protected wildlife trophies without authorisation as Kenya continues efforts to combat wildlife crime and protect endangered species.
