Two people were arrested by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers on Saturday, while in possession of 38.6 kilograms of ivory in a Laikipia West sub county.
This comes barely a week after three other suspect were arrested at Marina area in Laikipia Central with 33 kilograms of elephant tusks.
Meanwhile, KWS has decried increased cases of poaching and illegal trafficking of game trophies in the region.
While sounding a warning to those engaging in the illegal sale of game trophies, Senior Warden in charge Nyahururu town KWS Station, Gabriel Kiio noted that the two were nabbed with the game trophies by undercover officers, working on a tip off from members of the public.
He said that the two suspects, Kipkemoi Minito and Alfred Njogu were nabbed with three pieces of ivory concealed in a sack.
“Our men who were acting on tip off from members of the public nabbed the two after trailing them for hours. They intercepted them, while transporting the trophies using a motorbike,” said Kiio, who is also the senior warden in charge of Nyandarua County.
Kiio noted the tusks are suspected to have been obtained from an elephant that could have been killed at Mugie ranch in Laikipia North.
“If you think you can have financial gains from this ivories, know that having been caught with such trophies will a tract a life sentence or a fine not exceeding Sh.20 million,” warned the Senior Warden.
He said that the two are being held at the Nyahururu police station, waiting to be arraigned in court.
Residents in the region have since been urged to work closely with police and KWS officers in the fight against poaching.
By Jesse Mwitwa
