Four suspects arraigned at Busia law courts in possession of elephant tusks worth Sh2.8 million

Four suspects were arraigned at Busia law courts in possession of ten pieces of what is believed to be elephant tusks weighing 28 kilograms worth Sh2.8 million street value.

The four; Kenneth Okwemba Owinyi, Samuel Jackson Agalo, Sara Anyago Oruya, and Jacinta Nekesa Ong’eno were arrested on the evening of 28 July 2023 by police in collaboration with officers from Kenya wildlife services.

The officers in Mundika within Busia sub-county ambushed the four and found them in possession of what was suspected to be elephant tusks without a warrant.

The four were arraigned in court where they all pleaded not guilty and were remanded at Korinda prisons as the case will be mentioned on 16^th August 2023.

Appearing before Chief Magistrate Ms Edina Nyaloti the four have fourteen days to apply for the bond of sh3 million each or surety of a similar amount.

Busia County Criminal Investigation Officer Mr Benson Omondi revealed that they had a tip-off from members of the public and managed to arrest the suspects who were searching for a buyer.

“We received a tip-off from the members of the public that there are persons in the possession of elephant tusks and were looking for the buyer and that is when we laid an ambush within Mundika in Busia sub-county where we managed to arrest four suspects.

They were carrying gunny bags and after doing a search in the bags we realized they were carrying 28 pieces of elephant tusks with a street valuer of Sh2.8 M,” said Mr Omondi

He said they laid an ambush within the Mundika area in Busia county in collaboration with Kenya Wildlife and other police officers.

Omondi cautioned members of the public to desist from engaging in criminal activities adding that whoever will be arrested for committing the crime will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

“I wish to warn members of the public to desist from engaging in criminal activities. We also encourage the public to volunteer information related to criminal activities and we promise them it will be treated with the confidence it deserves.

Mr Omondi noted that of late Busia County has been reporting similar cases waiting for the ruling.

“We have three similar cases at Busia law courts, this will be the fourth case waiting to be ruled that is why we are encouraging members of the public to remain vigil to curb such cases in Busia County,” he noted