Two men in Malindi have been sentenced to pay fines of Ksh 20 million each or serve life imprisonment after they were found guilty of unlawful possession of elephant tusks, leopard and cheetah skins.
The judgment delivered by Senior Principal Magistrate Joy Shiundu Wesonga convicted Nzai Kazungu Nzai and Nzai Ruwa Kapombe of possessing endangered wildlife trophies without a permit, contrary to Section 92 (4) as read with Section 105 of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act.
The court heard the two were arrested on January 17, 2025, at a Shell petrol station near Naivas Supermarket in Malindi, after Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers intercepted them.
Upon search, they were found carrying nine pieces of elephant tusks weighing 5.8 kg wrapped in a polythene and nylon straps, one leopard skin and one cheetah skin, concealed inside a white and yellow sack.
“Upon search in their presence, KWS officers recovered nine pieces of elephant tusks weighing 5.8 kg with a street value of Sh580,000,” the statement read.
The prosecution led by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP), presented five witnesses.
The magistrate ruled that the defense failed to raise reasonable doubts, dismissing their arguments. Magistrate Shiundu also found the prosecution’s evidence was sufficient to prove the charges.
The two convicts have 14 days to exercise their right of appeal against the court’s decision.
