A suspected sea turtle poacher was today Tuesday arraigned in a Malindi court charged with illegal possession of a live sea turtle without a permit.
Appearing before Malindi Resident Magistrate Grace Mutemi, Kazungu Mwavuo Ngala, denied the charge, claiming he was a bodaboda operator who had been hired to carry the sea creature to a destination he did not disclose.
Ms Mutemi ordered Kazungu to be released on a Sh200,000 bond or alternatively pay a Sh100,000 cash bail pending the hearing and determination of the case, which would be mentioned on September 12, 2024.
The court heard that Kazungu was found dealing in a specified critically endangered live wildlife without a permit or other lawful exemption contrary to the Wildlife Conservation and management Act 2013 using a motorcycle.
Particulars of the charge indicate that on the September 1, 2024 at around 5.30 pm at Come Back area in Malindi Sub County, he was found dealing in a live green turtle weighing 6.5 kilogrammes carved carapace width of 38cm and carved carapace length of 40cm using a motorbike registration KMFF 614M.
He was also charged with being in possession of the 6.5 kilogram green turtle at the same scene.
Speaking to journalists before the accused person took plea, Ms Abigael Cate, the project manager of Local Ocean Conservation Organization, said that the suspect was arrested on Sunday after a tip off from members of the public adding that the turtle was transported from Kipini area in Tana River County.
She said that they would move the court for video and photographic evidence to be used as evidence during the hearing of the case instead of transporting the endangered creature in and out of court during trial.
According to the conservationist, the arrest and arraignment in court of the suspect will help send a stern warning to poachers in Kenya.
By Judith Nyaboke
