A Kerugoya court has slammed a heavy bond option for four residents of Gathuthuma village, Kirinyaga Central Sub- County alleged to have been found with elephant tusks.
Area Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku ordered that the four suspects Joseph Kungu, Stephen Mucheru, Ronald Reagan, and Peter Muchiri be released on a Sh1 million bond each and sureties of same amount pending the hearing and conclusion of the case.
The quartet has denied being found in possession of the trophies from endangered elephant at Gathuthuma village, within Kirinyaga Central Sub- County which borders Mt. Kenya forest on September 4, last year.
The prosecution in the charge sheet indicated that the suspects who were unrepresented were found in possession of four pieces of elephant ivory weighing 95 kilograms and valued at Sh9.5 million.
The prosecution was led by State Counsel Beatrice Muthoni. The local DCI and KWS have lined up several witnesses for the case which is slated for further mention on June 7.
By Irungu Mwangi
