Two men believed to be part of a major wildlife trafficking syndicate have been arraigned at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) Law Courts after their arrest in Mombasa with rhino horns worth Ksh10 million.
The suspects, identified as 58-year-old Feiswal Mohamed Ali and 75-year-old Mohammed Hassan Kontoma, were intercepted in the Mama Ngina area of Mombasa while in possession of two rhino horns weighing 2.2 kilograms. The pair were later flown to Nairobi, where they now face charges of illegal possession and dealing in wildlife trophies.
During the court proceedings, the prosecution requested that the suspects be detained for ten days to allow Kenya Wildlife Service investigators to complete their inquiries. Authorities revealed that the suspects are thought to be senior figures in a sophisticated international smuggling ring responsible for financing, transporting, and coordinating the movement of illicit wildlife products across borders.
Investigators intend to carry out DNA tests on the recovered horns to determine their origin. Additionally, digital forensic analysis will be conducted on two mobile phones seized during the arrest, which could provide critical leads. The probe has already extended internationally, with INTERPOL involved in tracing the network’s global links. Authorities are also following a suspected money trail that cuts across several local and foreign bank accounts, believed to be connected to the illegal trade.
The prosecution expressed particular concern about Feiswal’s background, noting that he had previously been convicted for trafficking 317 kilograms of ivory. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison and given a substantial fine. Despite this conviction, he is believed to have resumed involvement in wildlife crime and currently has an active international arrest warrant against him, making him a considerable flight risk.
The arrest and arraignment highlight the ongoing fight against wildlife trafficking in Kenya, a country that remains a critical transit point for poached trophies destined for international markets. Authorities emphasized the importance of cracking down on such syndicates to protect endangered species and dismantle the financial networks that sustain the illegal trade.
A ruling on whether the suspects will remain in custody for the requested 10 days is expected on August 29, 2025.
