Two ivory tusks seized from Kericho boda boda operator
PHOTO | FILE KWS rangers guard intercept ivory at JKIA in the past. Kenya Wildlife Service officers and police Saturday impounded two pieces of elephant tusks worth Sh1 million in Kericho Town.
What you need to know:
- Police said a boda boda (motorcycle) rider had been carrying the illegal ivory wrapped in sack on his motorbike when they pounced on him
- Within the last one month, Kericho police have impounded bhang (marijuana) worth more than Sh11 million.
Kenya Wildlife Service officers and police Saturday impounded two pieces of elephant tusks worth Sh1 million in Kericho Town.
Police said a boda boda (motorcycle) rider had been carrying the illegal ivory wrapped in sack on his motorbike when they pounced on him
Kericho County Commissioner William ole Kakimoni told the Nation that the officers were acting on a tip-off from members of the public.
“We arrested the suspect to assist us with investigations. The tusks appear to be very fresh and must have been extracted from a young elephant within the last three weeks and were on transit to an unknown place,” he said.
Mr Kakimoni said further investigations would be conducted to reveal the source of the tusks, adding that the arrested suspect would soon be arraigned in court to answer to charges of being in possession of illegal goods.
At the same time, he warned that police patrols and roadblocks would be enhanced along the major highways running across the county to stop trafficking of illegal substances including drugs.
Within the last one month, Kericho police have impounded bhang worth more than Sh11 million.
“We want to warn all the criminal elements that the government is on high alert. We will not allow any contraband goods to transit through Kericho,” he added.
