A Garsen court has sentenced a man to five years imprisonment for illegally possessing elephant tusks in Tana River County.
The accused received a five-year prison term or alternatively a fine of Ksh3 million following his conviction for possessing trophies of an endangered species without proper authorization from the Kenya Wildlife Service Director General.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) reported that the prosecution successfully demonstrated the defendant’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
After the conviction, the defense requested a non-custodial sentence, presenting medical documents and a pre-sentence report suggesting probation.
The court rejected the application and imposed the prison sentence with the option of the monetary penalty.
The prosecution successfully opposed the motion, noting that the medical documents provided were outdated from 2024.
The court learned that on January 19, 2024, at Tarasaa Junction in Ngao Location, Tana River County, the defendant was found with two elephant tusks weighing approximately 3.8 kilograms and valued at Ksh380,000.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution presented five witnesses, including an expert and the investigating officer, whose testimony directly connected the defendant to the crime.
The prosecution argued that a deterrent sentence was essential to emphasize the importance of wildlife conservation and protecting Kenya’s endangered species.
Concurring with the prosecution’s argument, Magistrate Lydia Wasige sentenced the defendant to five years imprisonment or alternatively a fine of Ksh3 million.
The ODPP stated that the convicted individual was transferred to Malindi GK Prison.
Elephant ivory trafficking continues to be one of the most significant threats to African wildlife, supporting poaching networks and compromising national security and economic stability.
The ODPP emphasized its commitment to combatting wildlife crime and ensuring that individuals who endanger Kenya’s natural heritage are held responsible.