Two in court over illegal ivory

A Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) ranger guards an ivory haul. Photo/FILE

What you need to know:

  • They had no certificate for handling the items, contrary to Wildlife Conservation and Management Act.
  • Mr Stephen Gitau and Mr Kakooza Husseia, who work with Mash Poa, a transport company, denied the charges.

Two people have been arraigned before a Kisumu court and charged with illegal possession of ivory worth Sh10 million.

Mr Stephen Gitau and Mr Kakooza Husseia appeared before senior principal magistrate Samuel Atonga on Wednesday morning.

On the first charge, the duo was accused of possessing 28 pieces of ivory and 53 ivory bracelets all valued at Sh10 million.

The court heard that they had no certificate for handling the items, contrary to the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act.

On the second charge, the two were accused of possessing prohibited goods contrary to the East African Community Customs Management Act.

The charge sheet indicated that the pair was found with the items in Kibuye market on July 27.

The two, who work with Mash Poa, a transport company, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

They will remain in custody at the Kisumu Central Police Station until Friday as the prosecution convinced the court not to release them on bond.

Prosecutor Francis Milia presented an affidavit by Mr George Momanyi, a criminal investigator with the Kenya Revenue Authority.

The KRA official said more investigations are being carried out to establish the market value of the ivory and arrest more suspects.

The trial begins on August 26.