Suspect in rhino killing released on bond
Mr Aden Abdi Mata appears in a Naivasha court on August 9, 2018. He is accused of killing a rhino. PHOTO | MACHARIA MWANGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The charge sheet indicates that he was found with a 30-06 calibre rifle and six pieces of processed ivory in Ndabibi.
- The Kenya Wildlife Service on Wednesday reported the arrest of the suspect on its Twitter handle.
The suspect linked to the recent killing of a rhino at Lake Nakuru National Park has been granted bond.
Mr Aden Abdi Mata was on Thursday charged with being in possession of an illegal firearm and six processed ivory contrary to the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013.
Mr Mata, who was unrepresented, denied the charges before Resident Magistrate Martin Mutua in Naivasha and was released on a Sh500,000 bond with surety of a similar amount.
"I'm not guilty," he said.
SANCTUARY
The charge sheet indicates that he was found with a 30-06 calibre rifle and six pieces of processed ivory in Ndabibi, Nakuru County, this month.
The case will be mentioned on August 22 and heard on October 25.
The 12-year-old male black rhino was killed within the grazing field.
The park has a 78-kilometre electric perimeter fence.
Last month, 11 black rhinos died after being translocated from Nakuru and Nairobi national parks to Tsavo East Rhino Sanctuary.
The Kenya Wildlife Service on Wednesday reported the arrest of the suspect on its Twitter handle.
Lake Nakuru National Park was declared a rhino sanctuary in 1980s and has been used as a breeding haven, and has a population of more than 70 black and white rhinos.
