Over the weekend, two suspected poachers were apprehended in Tigania East, Meru County, with six elephant tusks in their possession. The tusks, weighing 18.5 kilograms, were concealed in four sacks when police and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officials intercepted them.
The suspects were detained on July 18 at Muriamburi Junction Mulika area while transporting the tusks to a potential buyer via motorcycle. They face charges under Section 92(4) of the Wildlife Conservation Management Act 2013 for possessing trophies from endangered species.
The seizure suggests the deaths of up to three elephants, likely occurring in nearby parks. This incident underscores the ongoing challenge of ivory poaching despite stringent penalties and an international ban on ivory trade.
The illegal ivory trade, driven by high demand in Asia and the Middle East for ornaments and traditional medicines, continues to thrive. Kenya has become a key transit route for ivory destined for Asian markets from eastern and central Africa.
To combat poaching, KWS and other stakeholders have implemented measures such as high-tech surveillance, including drones, enhanced community education, and interagency collaboration. These efforts have been effective, with Kenya reporting zero rhino poaching in 2020 for the first time in two decades.
In a notable demonstration of commitment, Kenya burned 105 tonnes of elephant ivory and 1.35 tonnes of rhino horn on April 30, 2016. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta, alongside global leaders and conservationists, led the event, symbolizing Kenya’s fight against wildlife crime.
Parliament has also enacted stringent anti-poaching laws, and the government has bolstered security at national parks to protect wildlife and support the tourism industry.
