June 29th, 2021: In Kwale Law Courts today, Senior Resident Magistrate Joe Omido, issued a warrant of arrest for the investigating officer in a 3 1/2 year old ivory possession case.
On December 17th, 2017, Hasira Makoti Mwanzala, a Kwale County enforcement officer, was arrested by KWS and NPS officers in the area of Shimba Hills National Reserve. He was found in possession of two tusks weighing 16 kg and charged accordingly.
Today was scheduled to be the closing of the prosecution’s case with testimony of the NPS Police Constable. He was not in attendance having notified the courts that he was on leave.
The DPP’s request for a summons was denied by SRM Omido after a plea from the unrepresented accused to close the case. It was realized that the said Police Constable had missed three previous hearings besides today for: temporary transfer for other duties, attending training, and an unknown reason while off duty. SRM Omido stated: “games are being played here”.
In addition to the arrest warrant being issued, the Kwale magistrate has ordered the proceedings to be typed, with info copies sent to the police county commander for Kwale County as well as the head of KWS in the region.
The case, CF 843/2017, will return to court on July 15th for mention.