Two women caught in possession of KSh11M ivory freed on bond

Two women were on Tuesday, January 9 charged before a court in Msambweni, Kwale County, for dealing in a wildlife trophy of an endangered species.

The said wildlife trophy includes Five (5) pieces of elephant tusks weighing 111.98 kg with a street value of KSh11,198,000.

Tima Omar Suya and Bahatisha Juma Said were jointly charged with dealing in wildlife trophies of an endangered species without a permit or other lawful exemptions, contrary to Section 92(2) as read with Section 105(1) of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013.

The women were found in possession of five (5) pieces of elephant tusks weighing 111.98 kg with a street value of KSh11,198,000. PHOTO: ODPP

It is alleged that the two women concealed the wildlife trophies in sacks and ferried them on board a motor vehicle without a permit.

Suya and Said were also charged with being in possession of wildlife trophies of an endangered species without a permit or other lawful exemption, contrary to Section 92(4) as read with Section 105(1) of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013.

The two accused persons allegedly committed both offences on 6 January 2024 at around 0900hrs a.m. in the Majoreni area of Lungalunga Sub-County within Kwale County.

The prosecution, through Senior Prosecution Counsel Alice Mbaeh, did not object to their release on bond.

They were each released on a KSh3 million bond with two sureties.

The matter will be mentioned on 24 January 2024 and heard on 21 February 2024.