Sh2.8 million elephant tusks seized

By LEONARD KORIR

Security officers in Trans Mara have seized eight pieces of elephant tusks weighing 14 kilogrammes with a street value of Sh2.8 million.

A joint operation carried out by the Kenya Police and Kenya Wildlife Service also led to the arrest of three people who were transporting the ivory in Keyian Division, Trans Mara West Subcounty.

Area police boss Alfred Muthua confirmed the incident and said the officers had been trailing the suspects for several days before arresting them on Sunday night.

Notorious poacher

“We have built a good working relationship with the local residents, who always relay any information of suspected poachers leading to several arrests in the recent past,” said Muthua.

During Christmas Day, KWS rangers arrested a notorious poacher with 10kg of elephant tusks at Kawai near Maasai Mara Game Reserve.

Two other accomplices escaped with a gun and police have launched a manhunt for them.

Trans Mara KWS Warden William Kiptoo said poaching was becoming a serious threat to wildlife in the region and noted that they are working with other security agencies  to ensure cartels in the illegal business arewiped out.