Two arrested with Elephant tusks worth Ksh.1.2M in Machakos

• Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Machakos County officer-in-charge Ismael Kiprop said the two suspects were intercepted while transporting the ivory on a motorcycle following a multi-agency operation.

Two people have been arrested in Machakos County after they were allegedly found transporting elephant tusks weighing 12 kilogrammes and valued at Ksh.1.2 million.

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Machakos County officer-in-charge Ismael Kiprop said the two suspects were intercepted while transporting the ivory on a motorcycle following a multi-agency operation.

According to Kiprop, authorities suspect the ivory was being transported for delivery to an undisclosed destination within Machakos.

He said Machakos has emerged as a hotspot for wildlife trophy trafficking and warned members of the public against engaging in the illegal trade, saying those arrested will face prosecution.

Kiprop further revealed that at least 10 suspects have been arrested in the county over wildlife-related offences in the past one-and-a-half months.

Of those arrested, eight were linked to wildlife trophy trafficking while two were found in possession of bushmeat.

He said a previous operation also led to the recovery of 13 kilogrammes of wildlife trophies valued at approximately Ksh.1.3 million.

The latest suspects were detained at Machakos Police Station pending their arraignment at the Machakos Law Courts.