Two Fined Sh1 Million Over Possession of Four Ivory Tusks, Hippo Tooth in Kwale
Two Fined Sh1 Million Over Possession of Four Ivory Tusks, Hippo Tooth in
Kwale
Kahawa Tungu
June 17, 2024
See link
https://kahawatungu.com/two-fined-sh1-million-over-possession-of-four-ivory-tusks-hippo-tooth-in-kwale/
for photo.
The sentencing took place on June 10 and involved suspects Augustine Odwori
Malingo and Nancy Akoth Owino who were arrested in 2019.
In a seemingly cruel choice of words, Principal Magistrate Lilian Lewa
began her sentencing by telling the two accused she was giving them a
non-custodial sentence, thereby giving them and the rest of the court the
impression that there was going to be no jail time involved.
However, that hope was dashed within seconds when the Magistrate continued
by stating that they were being fined Sh1 million and in default of
payment, would spend five years in prison.
The fine amount was completely unreachable for both so they would be
imprisoned for five years.
Akoth, once the realization of the sentence struck home, began sobbing to
Lewa to please take her children as they were going to become street
children or thugs.
Akoth’s two oldest boys were in court and once the police started leading
their mother away, the younger boy fainted in the doorway of the court
striking his head hard on the floor causing momentary unconsciousness.
When Akoth saw what had happened, she also collapsed, crying out.
Officials said the ivory was valued at Sh100,000.
The move is part of efforts to fight the crime of trafficking and
possession of ivory.
In December 2022, Thomas Muhoro Ngatia, a self-confessed ivory trafficker
found with 112 kilogrammes of ivory under his bed in 2016, was sentenced to
two years imprisonment in Kibera, Nairobi.
Also in 2022, the Kitale court sentenced Martin Mukesa Juma to pat Sh1
million or spend a year in jail in default after he was found in possession
of two pieces of ivory weighing four kilos.
In February 2024, Kahawa court Senior Principal Magistrate Boaz Ombewa
ordered Joseph Marao Nkooyio and Edward Oinepu Kipaton to pay a fine of
Sh300,000 or serve one year in prison in default after entering into a plea
agreement.
On James Ngala Kassiwa, a Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) officer was in 2022
handed two years jail for his part in a 3.8 tone ivory shipment.
Seven months into his imprisonment, he was granted a non custodial sentence
for the remaining 17 months, a decision said to be based on his age,
health, and family status.
He and one other had been charged under the East African Community Customs
Management Act, which provided for a maximum sentence of five years jail.
Elephant tusks fetch a fortune in the black market as a surge in demand for
ivory in the East continues to fuel the illicit trade in elephant tusks,
especially from Africa.
Officials say despite a ban on the international trade in ivory, African
elephants are still being poached in large numbers.
As part of efforts to stop the menace, Kenya has started using high-tech
surveillance equipment, including drones, to track poachers and keep tabs
on elephants and rhinos.
KWS and stakeholders have put in place mechanisms to eradicate all forms of
wildlife crime, particularly poaching.
These mechanisms include enhanced community education, interagency
collaboration, and intensive intelligence-led operations, among others.