A Kibera court has sentenced three suspects charged with possession of tusks valued at Sh400,000 to two years in jail or a fine of Sh1 million each.
Kithuka Mbuta, Gladys Nakhumicha and Moctor Ndwasi were convicted by Kibera chief magistrate Abdul Lorot.
The three committed the offence on August 20 at Gallena Mall parking lot, Lang’ata subcounty, Nairobi. The tusks were in a Toyota Fielder KCK 569S, police said.
While testifying, Joseph Wainaina the car owner told the court that he had given the car to Ndwasi to use for a PSV business.
He said the accused person sent him an SMS informing him that he had been arrested while carrying a passenger who was in possession of the elephant tusks.
Wainaina told the court that days later he went and confirmed to the investigating officer that he was the owner of the vehicle and handed in his logbook.
Joyce Muthoni, an officer attached to KWS, told the court that she received information that the suspects were looking for a buyer of the tusks. She said she told the accused persons that she was interested in the tusks, which weighed about 6kg.
Muthoni testified that she met and arrested the suspects. They all denied the charges and maintained their innocence. In his ruling, Lorot said the evidence was sufficient for their conviction.
Edited by Henry Makori
