Two people jailed for 14 years, another fined Ksh.3M in Baringo wildlife trophy case

Two people have been sentenced to 14 years in prison, while another was fined Ksh.3 million or serve five years in default, in a 2013 wildlife crime case involving possession and dealing of 12 elephant tusks in Baringo.

The three appeared before Kabarnet Law Courts Senior Principal Magistrate P. Koskey, where they were convicted for dealing with endangered species trophies.

“The ruling saw the accused face significant penalties under Sec. 92(2)&(4) of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013,” the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said in a statement.

During the hearing, the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt by presenting five key witnesses, including officers from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the National Police Service (NPS), and a researcher from the National Museums of Kenya.

The court heard that the offences took place in June 2023 at Eldume Village, Ilchamus Location, Baringo South Sub-County.

In his judgement, Magistrate Koskey emphasised the broader national impact of such crimes as aggravating factors in the case, underscoring the severe ecological impact of the crime.

This was after findings from the National Museums of Kenya confirmed that seven of the tusk pieces recovered represented at least seven elephants.

“By and large, the victim in such cases is the people of Kenya, as wildlife is an integral part of Kenyan heritage. Wildlife is not only a source of pride but also a vital contributor to the economy of Kenya,” the Magistrate ruled.