E827/22 Meru – R. vs. Nathan Kirema Makunyi and Visali Muthengi Mucheria 1.7 kg ivory

#21. March 21st, 2024 (Hearing): The scourge of the judicial proceedings across the land, ill health, strikes yet again. It is fair to say that it is a rare day indeed that there is not at least one wildlife case that we are following that is not adjourned due to sickness to one of the involved parties. Today, it was the turn of the crime scene officer who called in sick early this morning. A new hearing date of June 18th has been set and summons to be issued for a police officer from Mbita police station and a liaison officer from Safaricom.

#20. January 18th, 2024 (Hearing): Today’s hearing proceeded with testimony from two prosecution witnesses. Both accused were present in court, the second accused with legal representation. The first witness was a police constable from the Gakoromone police post. He testified that at approximately 4am, while  on patrol in the company of other officers, they spotted 3 gentlemen.  The men were questioned as to where they were going and provided answers that the officers were not satisfied with.  One of his colleagues asked to see the back pack that the 1st accused was carrying.  Upon opening, 4 pieces of elephant tusks were discovered.