By Andrew Kariuki
Two suspected wildlife traffickers have been arrested following a covert operation by a multi-agency team comprising officers from the National Police Service (NPS) and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) in Namanga.
Acting on intelligence, the officers conducted an operation at Mufassa Hotel, where the suspects were believed to be planning a transaction involving elephant tusks.
During the operation, officers arrested Imani Manasi Msumbwa, a Tanzanian national and Alton Jilaoneka, a Kenyan.
A third suspect, Justin Mwalima, also a Tanzanian national, managed to escape at the scene and is currently being sought by authorities.
Following their arrest, the suspects led officers to two motor vehicles parked nearby.
A search of a Toyota Mark X, registration number T476 DHS, revealed 20 pieces of elephant tusks concealed in the boot.
The tusks were found to weigh approximately 110 kilograms and are estimated to be worth about ksh11 million.
A further search of a Nissan Fairland, registration number T305 EFM, recovered a weighing machine, which investigators believe was intended to facilitate the illegal trade.
The suspects, together with the recovered tusks, the weighing equipment and the two vehicles, were escorted to Namanga Police Station, where they are being held pending further processing and arraignment in court.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing as efforts continue to trace the suspect who escaped arrest and to establish the full extent of the alleged trafficking network.
