Two individuals have been arrested in Cheptais, Bungoma County, after they were found in possession of elephant tusks in a targeted operation aimed at curbing illegal wildlife trade. The duo was apprehended at the Cheptais Kipsis junction while transporting the tusks, which had been hidden inside a blue sack on a motorcycle.
The operation, carried out jointly by local law enforcement officers and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) personnel from Kitale, followed intelligence reports that led authorities to the suspects before they could flee with the illicit cargo. According to police, the arrest took place on the afternoon of June 14, and the suspects are now being held in police custody pending their appearance in court.
Photographs released by authorities showed the suspects standing beside the confiscated tusks and the motorcycle used in the attempted smuggling. Their faces were blurred in the images, as investigations into the incident continue.
Law enforcement agencies reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with relevant bodies to safeguard the nation’s wildlife. The arrest comes amid a sustained campaign to deter poaching and illegal trafficking in ivory and other protected wildlife products. Authorities emphasized that the preservation of Kenya’s biodiversity and natural heritage remains a top national priority.
Kenya has for years taken strong measures to combat wildlife crime. The Kenya Wildlife Conservation Act, enacted in 2013, sets severe penalties for those found guilty of killing endangered animals such as elephants and rhinos. The law allows for a maximum fine of Ksh20 million or life imprisonment, depending on the gravity of the offense.
The African elephant, in particular, is recognized as an endangered species, largely due to poaching driven by demand for ivory in foreign markets. Despite an international ban on ivory trade imposed in 1989 during the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), illegal trade in tusks has persisted, particularly to meet demand in parts of Asia and the Middle East.
Historical data paints a grim picture. In the 1970s and early 1980s, Kenya’s elephant population was estimated at about 170,000. However, due to rampant poaching, that number plummeted to roughly 16,000 by the end of the 1980s. In recent years, through stricter laws, increased surveillance, and public awareness campaigns, this trend has begun to reverse. By August 2023, the elephant population in Kenya had risen to approximately 36,000 a notable increase of more than five per cent, underscoring the effectiveness of conservation efforts.
The recent arrests serve as a stern warning to would-be offenders and highlight the ongoing vigilance by authorities to end wildlife crimes and protect Kenya’s rich ecological heritage.
