KDF sergeant busted with endangered rhino horn

Police in Homa Bay have detained three people, including a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) sergeant, found in possession of a rhino horn valued at Sh2.9 million.

Preliminary investigations have established that the KDF sergeant is based at Ngong camp in Nairobi region.

The horn that the trio had weighs 2.9 kilogrammes. It's not clear where the animal part was being taken to.

Homa Bay County Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) commander Mr Peter Kimulwo said the suspects were arrested Tuesday evening at a hotel in Rodi Kopany Trading Centre, on the outskirts of Homa Bay Town.

"Security officers relied on a tip off they got from concerned members of the public. An operation was planned and the suspects were arrested," he said.

According to Mr Kimulwo, a team of DCI officers teamed up with other security officers from different units to execute the arrest.

Besides the DCI, the multi-agency operation comprised officers from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and other regular police officers.

During the arrest, police also recovered a private vehicle, a black Toyota Kluger, which the suspects used to transport the rhino horn.

"They were locked at Homa Bay Police Station where they will be interrogated," Mr Kimulwo said.

Investigators suspect the trio got the rhino horn from Ruma National Park.

Mr Kimulwo said his officers are still pursuing other suspects linked to a syndicate of poachers operating in Ruma National Park.
 
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