Two suspects linked to the ivory trade were arraigned at the JKIA Law Courts on Wednesday, according to police and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
The pair had been arrested in Mombasa County and later transferred to Nairobi ahead of their arraignment.
The presiding magistrate granted a defence request for additional time to review affidavits filed by investigators seeking to hold the suspects further for ongoing inquiries.
The matter was deferred to August 28, 2025.
According to investigators, the two were intercepted on August 26, 2025, in Mombasa, allegedly in possession of two pieces of rhino horn weighing 2.2 kilograms and valued at Sh2 million.
Intelligence reports indicate they were seeking a buyer for the trophies at the time of arrest.
The suspects were initially detained at Mombasa Central Police Station before being moved to Langata Police Station in Nairobi.
The JKIA Law Courts, which has jurisdiction over transnational organised crimes, handled the arraignment.
Court records show that one of the suspects has previously faced wildlife trafficking charges in Kenya.
In 2016, a Mombasa court sentenced him to 20 years in prison and fined him Sh20 million, but the High Court later acquitted him on appeal in 2018.
The latest arrest over alleged possession of rhino horn underscores Kenya’s continuing efforts to combat wildlife crime and dismantle trafficking networks.
Rhino horn remains one of the biggest threats to endangered rhino populations due to demand in illegal markets abroad.
Kenya Wildlife Service Director General, Prof Erastus Kanga, commended the joint operation, saying: “The arrest and arraignment of the suspects once again demonstrates Kenya’s commitment to the fight against wildlife crime."
"We will continue to pursue traffickers relentlessly, no matter how long it takes, to safeguard our iconic species and protect Kenya’s heritage for future generations.”
KWS reiterated its commitment to working with national and international partners, including INTERPOL and cross-border enforcement agencies, to ensure wildlife trafficking suspects are brought to justice.
