Three Nakuru businessmen charged with trafficking Ksh.1.6M elephant tusks

Three Nakuru businessmen were on Wednesday afternoon arraigned and charged with trafficking 8 kilograms of elephant tusks worth Ksh.1.6 million.

Appearing before Nakuru Chief Magistrate Josephat Kalo, the acuused; James Yegon, Amos Lumet and Jacob Rono denied the charges.

Through their lawyer John Ochang’, the accused sought to be released on reasonable bond terms arguing that it was their constitutional right.

The three were charged that on March 5, 2019, at Bontana Hotel within Nakuru Town, they were found in possession of critically endangered wildlife trophies without a permit from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and in contravention of the Wildlife Conservation Act.

Together with others not before court, the accused persons also faced a second count of dealing the wildlife trophies without a permit by attempting to sell off the elephant tusks which were later found stashed in two white manila sacks concealed as wood.

The three were released on a Ksh.2 million bond each with a surety of the same amount or an alternative cash bail of Ksh.1 million.

The matter was set for hearing on March 20, 2019.