By Peter John

Six suspected members of a poaching syndicate have been arrested in Garissa County following a targeted operation by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).

The arrests were made along the Garissa–Daadab road at Alango Arba (Hagarbul) in Fafi Sub-County after officers acted on intelligence reports about a vehicle ferrying armed individuals and illegal wildlife products.

According to KWS, the suspects were intercepted while travelling in a white Suzuki Alto, registration number KDC 529C.

Among those arrested was 66-year-old Ali Idow Yussuf, who was found armed with an AK-47 rifle loaded with 13 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, along with an additional magazine containing 30 rounds.

Yussuf, who was dressed in jungle combat gear, claimed to be a National Police Reservist (NPR) based in Gadude.

The other suspects were identified as Fuad Hussein Mukhtar (30), the driver, Mahat Diriye Hussein (34), Hassan Jehow Diriye (56), Idle Farah Dagane (52), and Hussein Ibrahim Abdulrahman (45).

A search of the vehicle uncovered approximately 200 kilograms of suspected giraffe meat and a giraffe head carcass, underscoring the scale and brutality of the illegal operation.

Authorities estimate the value of the seized wildlife products at KSh 200,000.

Officers also recovered seven mobile phones believed to have been used to coordinate the poaching activities. The firearm and ammunition have since been secured as exhibits at the KWS station in Garissa.

The suspects were initially held at Garissa Police Station before being transferred to KWS headquarters in Nairobi, where they are awaiting arraignment.

KWS has reiterated its commitment to combating wildlife crime and warned that individuals involved in poaching and trafficking of wildlife products will face the full force of the law.