Final Court Update
#29. September 12th, 2024 (Judgement): Chief Magistrate A.R. Kithinji acquitted both accused. The exact reason for the acquittal is not known.
The matter took 46 months and 30 court sittings to complete from plea to judgement.
Case Overview
The two accused where stopped by police while driving a van that was found to contain 10 pieces of ivory reportedly weighing 31.6 kg. The arrest and seizure was based on intelligence from KWS and DCI sources.
Presiding Magistrate and Court: Hon. A.R. Kithinji – Chief Magistrate | |
State Counsel: | Advocates for the Accused: |
Accused: 1.Alphonce Otieno Otok 2. Kangai Alphama | |
Charges:
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Date of Arrest: 2021-12-03 | Date of Arraignment: 2020- 12 -07 |
Location of Arrest: Nanyuki Town | Contraband Seized: 31.6 kg (10 pieces) |
Proceedings
#29. August 1st, 2024 (Judgement): The judgement did not take place. It is now set for September 12th, 2024.
#28. July 4th, 2024 (Mention): The court has set a judgement date of August 1st.
#27. June 20th, 2024 (Defence Hearing): After the July 4th mention date was assigned, it appears that a change must made, presumably at the request of the defence, to have the hearing on June 20th. This would be considered unusual. It would appear that the defence hearing did take place as a judgement date has been set.
June 17th, 2024 (Defence Hearing): The defence hearing did not take place due to a recently gazetted public holiday. The matter was later set for a mention date of July 4th.
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April 30th, 2024 (Defence Hearing): The court slated June 17th as the next date for defence hearing.
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February 26th, 2024 (Defence Hearing): Matter was coming up for defence hearing today, the accused persons were present in court but unfortunately the defence counsel was indisposed. The next date slated for April 30th, 2024.
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November 30th, 2023 (Ruling): The court ruled that there is a case to answer and the accused was put on his defence. Defence hearing scheduled for February 26th, 2024. (DNA)
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November 29th, 2023 (Ruling
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October 31st, 2023 (Hearing): Did not attend. (DNA)
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December 7th, 2020 (Plea): The two accused pleaded not guilty.
Two arrested with 10 pieces of ivory in Nanyuki town (Kenya)
The Star
December 5, 2020
Two suspects were on Thursday arrested in Nanyuki town while transporting 10 pieces of ivory in a vehicle.
Kenya Wildlife Services senior warden in charge of Laikipia county Jacob Orahle said that the suspects were arrested by DCI officers while on transit.
They were detained at Nanyuki police station awaiting arraignment in court. The ivory weighing 31.6kgs was taken to KWS stores as part of the evidence that will be used in court against the two.
“We managed to arrest the suspects namely Alphonse Otieno and Kangai Alpham who were transporting the ivory in a Toyota Noah vehicle,” Orahle said while addressing the press at his Nanyuki office on Friday.
He said the ivory was not fresh thus ruling out a possible recent poaching of elephants adding that it was possible the trophies could have originated from a neighbouring county.
Orahle said cases of poaching have been on the decline in Laikipia, attributing it to increased surveillance in wildlife sanctuaries.
He the arrest of the two suspects was coordinated following shared intelligence from KWS and DCI officers from Isiolo, Meru and Laikipia counties.
