Today’s Court Update
#6. April 16th, 2024 (Hearing): Today’s hearing took place with the testimony of one prosecution witness, AB, a KWS officer with the investigation department based in Langata.
He stated that on January 8th, 2023, he travelled from KWS headquarters Langata to Narok area with three colleagues. His supervisor, CD, had received information of 5 suspects with ivory. They were travelling in an unmarked KWS vehicle and made stops at Suswa and Duka Moja while enroute.
They had a description of the suspects and came across them where they were standing by the roadside with a sack in the Ntulele area, one (A#2) with a motorcycle KMFY256H. His supervisor, CD, demanded to know the contents of the sack and one responded that it was charcoal. The bag was checked and a tusk was found in the midst of the charcoal. The first accused, Taiyaa, tried to run but shots were fired as a warning and he was arrested as was the second man.
The other three were arrested later, as they were in phone communication with the two arrested. All accused and the ivory were taken to Ewaso Nyiro KWS station. All accused were identified by PW1. Amongst the items seized were tusks, sacks (one with charcoal), motorcycle KWFI256H, six mobile phones. There was also mention of a second motorcycle but it is not clear as to its status.
The witness was stood down at he had forgotten required photographs. The next hearing date is set for July 23rd.
Case Overview
On January 8th 2023, around 1400hrs at Ntulele area Narok County: Matunda Taiyaa, Risa Yiale, Thomas Kimilu Mutuku, Gideon Kiilu, Harison Musya Mbaluka were jointly found in possession of 6 pieces of elephant ivory weighing 31.9 kgs without permit from Director General KWS.
PROCEEDINGS
#6. April 16th, 2024 (Hearing): Today’s hearing took place with the testimony of one prosecution witness, AB, a KWS officer with the investigation department based in Langata.
He stated that on January 8th, 2023, he travelled from KWS headquarters Langata to Narok area with three colleagues. His supervisor, CD, had received information of 5 suspects with ivory. They were travelling in an unmarked KWS vehicle and made stops at Suswa and Duka Moja while enroute.
They had a description of the suspects and came across them where they were standing by the roadside with a sack in the Ntulele area, one (A#2) with a motorcycle KMFY256H. His supervisor, CD, demanded to know the contents of the sack and one responded that it was charcoal. The bag was checked and a tusk was found in the midst of the charcoal. The first accused, Taiyaa, tried to run but shots were fired as a warning and he was arrested as was the second man.
The other three were arrested later, as they were in phone communication with the two arrested. All accused and the ivory were taken to Ewaso Nyiro KWS station. All accused were identified by PW1. Amongst the items seized were tusks, sacks (one with charcoal), motorcycle KWFI256H, six mobile phones. There was also mention of a second motorcycle but it is not clear as to its status.
The witness was stood down at he had forgotten required photographs. The next hearing date is set for July 23rd.
There has been 6 sittings on this case so far .
