Woman charged for trafficking assorted wildlife trophies in Baringo

Kabarnet, Tuesday, May 30, 23

KNA by Gloria Cheboi/Joshua Kibet

A woman found trafficking assorted wildlife trophies that included 13.7 kilos of elephant tusks of unknown value has been arraigned in a Kabarnet court under two counts.

The accused, Esther Jerono Chebichii, was charged with dealing in prohibited game trophies and also possessing five Elephant tusks and 105 pieces of Pangolin scales weighing two kilogrammes with a street value of Sh 2.37 million.

According to the charge sheet, Chebichi having being in possession of the trophies contravened Section 92(4) of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act 2013 and for dealing in the game trophies contrary to Section 92 (2) of the similar Act.

The court was told that the accused was netted by police officers in Kabarnet town, the headquarters of Baringo County, on Friday May 27, 2023 at around pm following a tip off from members of the public.

The highly valued pangolin scales are trophies from the critically endangered species of the animal under appendix one which is one of the convention of international trade of endangered species 9CITES) in which she is being accused for trading without permit or other lawful exemption from Kenya Wildlife Services.

Chebichii who appeared before Kabarnet Senior Resident Magistrate Edwin Mulochi on Monday afternoon pleaded not guilty to charges leveled against her and requested to be granted cash bail.

Prosecutor Joseck Abwajo while adjudicating on the seriousness of the offense opposed the request of the accused and recommended for bond terms.

The Senior Resident Magistrate thereby ordered the accused to be released on Sh 1.5 million bond with one surety.

Mr Mulochi scheduled the case to be brought for a mention on June 27 and its hearing on July 11 this year.

Courtesy ; K. N. A