Written by Were Kelly
Baringo, Kenya — June 2025
In a landmark ruling that underscores Kenya’s tough stance against wildlife crime, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) secured convictions against three individuals for the illegal possession and trade of endangered wildlife trophies—specifically, 12 elephant tusks.
The judgment, handed down by Senior Principal Magistrate Hon. P. Koskey at the Kabarnet Law Courts, saw two of the accused sentenced to seven years in prison each, while a third was fined KSh 3 million or five years in default.
The prosecution was led by Counsel Collins Ogutu, who successfully argued the case under Section 92(2) and (4) of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013.
The offences occurred in June 2023 at Eldume Village, Ilchamus Location, Baringo South Sub-County. A multi-agency team comprising officers from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the National Police Service (NPS), and a researcher from the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) orchestrated a coordinated sting operation that led to the suspects’ arrest.
In court, five key witnesses provided testimony that sealed the case. Notably, forensic analysis by the NMK confirmed that seven of the recovered tusk pieces originated from at least seven elephants, highlighting the grave ecological toll of the crime.
During sentencing, Hon. Koskey emphasized the far-reaching impact of wildlife trafficking on Kenya’s environment and national identity.
“By and large, the victim in such cases is the people of Kenya, as wildlife are an integral part of Kenyan heritage. Wildlife is not only a source of pride but also a vital contributor to the economy of Kenya,”
The court’s decision marks a significant win for the ODPP and aligns with Kenya’s broader efforts to crack down on environmental and wildlife-related offences.
The Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013 provides strict penalties aimed at deterring poachers and traffickers, with mandatory minimum sentences for serious offences.
