The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has secured the conviction of two men involved in ivory trafficking.
Moriati Ole Kimore and Lepapa Saruni were each sentenced to five years in prison by Senior Principal Magistrate Hon. Njeri Thuku at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) Law Courts. The duo was found guilty of illegally possessing four elephant tusks weighing a total of 24.9 kilograms and valued at KSh. 2.49 million.
The court heard that Kimore and Saruni were intercepted on August 28, 2024, in the Ntarara area of Kajiado South Sub-County while transporting the ivory on a motorcycle. Their arrest was conducted by officers from the Serious Crimes Unit, operating under a multi-agency task force comprising various national security bodies.
Leading the prosecution, Paula Rono presented compelling evidence linking the accused to the illegal possession and transportation of the ivory. The prosecution demonstrated that the ivory had been unlawfully obtained, and that the accused were part of an illegal trafficking network threatening Kenya’s endangered elephant population.
In delivering the verdict, Magistrate Thuku emphasized the seriousness of wildlife crimes and their devastating impact on conservation efforts. She noted that the sentence would serve as a strong deterrent to others engaging in similar activities.
The ODPP reaffirmed its commitment to working with law enforcement agencies and conservation bodies to ensure that wildlife offenders are held accountable.
