CASE CONCLUSION:
On January 19th, 2021, in a ruling before Hon. Charles Mwandiki, the two remaining accused were discharged and acquitted of all charges.
Four Arrested with 43 kg in Controlled Delivery
SEEJ-AFRICA THUMB NAIL:
- On the evening of May 26th, 2014, officers from the Special Crimes Prevention Unit (SCPU) intercepted a vehicle on the Nairobi outskirts found to contain 8 pieces of ivory in bags of charcoal. The ivory weighed 43 kg.
- The two occupants were Edward Maina Wahome, and Stephen Mwangi Gitonga, taxi drivers from the Nyeri area, located between Aberdares and Mount Kenya National Park.
- Investigators continued with a controlled delivery scenario and arrested two more individuals, Peter Mwangi Muriu and Adaw Hassan Bishar in the Nairobi area.
- The driver and passenger were charged with possession of wildlife trophies and all four were initially charged with Dealing in Wildlife Trophies.
- Later in the court proceedings, the charges were withdrawn against the two persons who were the ivory receipients in the controlled delivery.
- The accused from Moyale is known to have a business importing goods and timber from South Sudan.
- There is investigational evidence pointing to transnational involvement.
- This case has now been before the Kibera courts for 2453 days (give or take a ‘leap’ day) or heading into its 7th year anniversary.
FILE | 2292/14 Kibera |
SEIZURE DATE | May 26th, 2014 |
CONTRABAND SEIZED and CIRCUMSTANCES | 43 kg of ivory cut into 8 pieces (reported as freshly cut) |
LOCATION | Thika Road near Githurai Town, Kiambu County, (Nairobi outskirts) |
POINT OF ORIGIN | Unknown |
ACCUSED | Edward Maina Wahome, Stephen Mwangi Gitonga, Peter Mwangi Muriu, Adaw Hassan Bishar |
CHARGED | Possession of Wildlife Trophies, Dealing in Wildlife Trophies |
COURT | Kibera |
VALUE (Charge Sheet) | Ksh 4,300,000.00 (USD $ 43,000.) |
OTHER CONTRABAND | |
TRANSPORT | KBC 690Z Nissan Sunny |
ARRESTING AGENCY | National Police Service – Special Crimes Prevention Unit |
CONNECTIONS/LINKS | Adaw Hassan Bishar with business links importing goods from South Sudan |
PHOTOS |
COURT PROGRESS
The original arraignment date was May 28th, 2014.
This past December 10th, 2020, the case was marked for hearing. Involved parties arrived in Kibera to find the court was not sitting. It was subsequently adjourned to February 18th, 2021.
