Three suspected poachers were arrested in Nkubu, Meru County, after being found with two elephant tusks weighing 60kg and valued at Sh6 million. The arrest, made during a night operation on April 11, 2025, was a joint effort by police and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officials. The tusks were hidden in a sack inside a salon car.
Authorities suspect the tusks came from an elephant killed in Meru National Park and are pursuing more suspects. The trio will be charged with possession of trophies from endangered species under the Wildlife Conservation Management Act.
Despite strict laws and anti-poaching campaigns, illegal ivory trade remains a major issue, driven by demand in Asia and the Middle East. Kenya continues to combat poaching through high-tech surveillance, interagency cooperation, and community engagement. Past efforts have seen success, including zero rhino poaching in 2020 and the public ivory burn in 2016 led by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
