84 kilograms of Ivory recovered in Kibwezi

Kibwezi, 

Tuesday, 20 August, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations have seized 84 kilograms of Ivory during a sting multi-agency operation conducted in Kambu area in Kibwezi sub county. 

The team comprising of Serious Crime Unit detectives and officers from the Kenya Wildlife Service have also arrested the prime suspect in connection to the illegal business. 

57 years old Sila Maweu and his three accomplices who managed to escape were ambushed by the officers who were acting on intelligence forcing the three suspects to flee leaving behind the suspect and animal trophies.

Maweu was arraigned before the JKIA law court where he pleaded guilty to two counts of dealing in endangered wildlife species among other charges.

The operation marks a major breakthrough in the fight againist sale of endangered wildlife trophies in the country. 

The suspects sentence will be heard on August 26, 2024.

Meanwhile, as search for the escaped individuals continues, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations has made a firm commitment that all perpetrators of illegal game poaching will be brought to book.