Mtengo Kazungu Bahero has been fined Ksh. 5 million by a Kilifi court, and he faces five years in prison if he doesn't pay the fine.
The Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) reports that Kazungu was discovered in possession of 40 kg of protected species wildlife trophies, which are estimated to be worth Ksh. 4 million.
The defendant was taken into custody and charged with two counts of possessing wildlife trophies of an endangered species, which is against section 92(2) of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act of 2013, and dealing in wildlife trophies of endangered species without a permit.
On one count, Justice Julius Nangea determined that the prosecution had proven Kazungu's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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The court cleared him, nevertheless, of the charge of trafficking in wildlife trophies of threatened or endangered species, specifically 17 pieces of 40 kg elephant tusks valued at $4 million on the open market, in violation of Section 92(2) of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act of 2013.
Emmanuel Zege Baya and Stephen Karisa Ngumbao were also given two-year prison terms and a Ksh. Five million fine by the same court.
The defendants were accused of trafficking in wildlife trophies, precisely three elephant tusks weighing five kilograms and valued at Ksh—500,000 on the open market.
They were also accused of possessing three 5 kg elephant tusks without a permit, which had a street value of Ksh 500,000.
On both counts, the court determined that the prosecution had proven the case against Emmanuel Zege Baya and Stephen Karisa Ngumbao beyond a reasonable doubt.
Emmanuel Baya is currently serving a seven-year sentence after being found guilty of dealing in wildlife trophies.
