Health officer arrested with Sh840,000 elephant tusks

By Paul Mutua

KITUI, KENYA: A Kitui public health officer has been arrested with 17 pieces of elephant tusks worth Sh840,000 in Kyua area, Machakos County.

Subsequently, the Mwingi East district public health officer Michael Kyalo Mateng’e was charged today before Kitui Senior Principal Magistrate Alfred Kibiru with possession of the ivory weighing 42 kilograms.

Mateng’e, 39, was accused that on August 24 at 4pm he was illegally found with the ivory at Kyua area in Kyua location which is property of the Government.

Second count stated that the health officer failed to report to the relevant authority of having the elephant trophies and that he dealt with the ivory without the dealers’ license.

The accused was released on Sh500,000 bond until October 17 when hearing of the case will commence.

A Machakos-based lawyer Pius Mutuku represented the accused while the prosecution was led by Joseph Mutia.