In two coordinated operations, at least five individuals were arrested and a total of elephant tusks valued at Sh6 million were recovered.
The actions stemmed from ongoing efforts to combat wildlife trafficking and poaching in Kenya.
First Incident: Shootout and Arrest of Suspected Poachers in Migori County
The first operation unfolded along the Kehancha-Isebania road in Kuria, Migori County, where a suspected poacher was shot and injured during a confrontation with police.
The incident occurred Saturday afternoon when officers intercepted a salon car carrying the ivory.
The three suspects, including a Tanzanian national, were transporting eight pieces of elephant tusks weighing 30 kilograms and worth an estimated Sh3 million.
Police said the situation escalated when one of the suspects attempted to stab an officer at a roadblock.
The officer was injured in the left thumb, prompting another officer to fire a shot, hitting the attacker in the left thigh.
The injured suspect was taken to Isebania Sub County Hospital for treatment, where he was reported to be in stable condition.
The two other suspects were arrested and are currently being held at a police station pending charges.
Second Operation: Police and KWS Team Up to Arrest Two Tanzanians in Mtwapa
In a separate operation, police officers from Mtwapa Police Station, in collaboration with Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officials, apprehended two Tanzanian nationals involved in the illegal ivory trade.
Acting on a tip-off, the officers raided a hideout in the Majengo area of Mtwapa, where they discovered 11 elephant tusks concealed in nylon sacks.
The tusks, weighing a total of 32.924 kilograms, are valued at Sh3.3 million.
The suspects, who had crossed into Kenya via the Namanga border, were allegedly attempting to sell the ivory to local buyers.
The tusks have been taken into safe custody as evidence, and the suspects will face charges under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act for possessing trophies of endangered species.
Ongoing Efforts To Combat Wildlife Crime
Both seizures highlight the ongoing threat posed by poaching and the illegal ivory trade, particularly in East Africa.
Despite the international ban on ivory trade, elephants continue to be targeted by poachers due to the high value of their tusks on the black market.
It is believed that up to two elephants were killed to obtain the seized tusks, likely from nearby national parks.
To counter this threat, Kenya has ramped up its anti-poaching efforts, including the use of high-tech surveillance tools such as drones to monitor wildlife and track poachers.
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), along with various stakeholders, is also intensifying intelligence-led operations and strengthening community education programs to curb wildlife crime.
The latest arrests and ivory seizures demonstrate the significant strides being made in the fight against wildlife trafficking, though authorities continue to face challenges in protecting Africa’s endangered species.
