By Kelly Were
Mwingi, Kitui County – In a significant win for Kenya’s fight against wildlife trafficking, a 63-year-old man and a 56-year-old woman have been arrested following the recovery of three elephant tusks at their residence in Kavuvwani village, Mwingi Central Sub-County.
Mwendwa Ngura Ngavu and Serah Norah Mwendwa were apprehended during a coordinated operation between Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers and local police, acting on credible intelligence. The operation, executed swiftly and discreetly, culminated in a successful search that led to the discovery of the illicit trophies hidden within the couple’s home.
Authorities confirmed that all three tusks were seized and have been preserved as key exhibits in the ongoing investigation. The suspects are currently held at Mwingi Police Station as they undergo processing ahead of arraignment.
“This arrest underscores our zero-tolerance approach to wildlife crime,” said a KWS spokesperson. “Possession of ivory is not only illegal but deeply destructive to our national heritage. We are committed to dismantling the networks behind such trafficking.”
The arrests come amid renewed calls to strengthen enforcement of conservation laws and intensify community sensitization on the value of protecting endangered species.
The suspects are expected to be arraigned in court later this week.
