Two arrested with Ksh.2M elephant tusks in Kibwezi

Officers from the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) arrested two people said to be in possession of elephant tusks worth Ksh.2million in Kibwezi.

The suspects Kamwila Mwathe, 49 and Kioko Munguti, 38 were reportedly from Ikutha, Kitui county.

According to KWS spokesman Paul Masela, the elephant tusks seized weighed 10 kilograms.

He said investigations into the matter are underway to establish the origin of the tusks and who else may be involved.

The suspects are to remain in custody pending arraignment.

In June this year, a man was sentenced to 8 years in prison for being in possession of 23kg elephant tusks.

The elephant population in Kenya has dwindled over the years despite a ban on ivory trade.

In October, a Reuters report revealed that more African ivory is being smuggled into China from Myanmar.

“…trade in tusks at Mong La and elsewhere increasingly comes from elephants of African origin,” Reuters said.