Man gets five years for possessing illegal ivory

A 30-year-old man was Friday sentenced to five years in prison by a Tigania court after he was found guilty of killing an elephant and possessing two tusks.

The convict, Charles Mubichi Ntoiburi, was also fined Sh1 million by Tigania Principal Magistrate Gathogo Sogomo or serve additional two years in prison if he defaults.

In his judgment, the magistrate said there is need for deterrent measures because cases of poaching in the country have continued to increase despite Kenya banning trade on illegal ivory.

Mr Sogomo agreed with KWS special prosecutor Dickson Odhiambo that the elephant population in the country is decreasing at an alarming rate and the animals, which are a major tourist attraction, could become extinct.

Mr Odhiambo said the elephant died after it was shot with a poisoned arrow.

“Since wildlife have no voice, we all should speak out for them in a robust and unequivocal fashion when it comes to protection of the various endangered species from profiteering syndicates.

“If the activities which the accused is convicted of are to continue, then the future generations are unlikely to enjoy the national heritage that mother nature has gifted our land in the form of these gentle giants called elephants,” said the magistrate.

During the hearing of the case, the court heard how police at Nchiru Police Station found the elephant tusks while looking for a stolen phone at Mr Mubichi’s home in connection to a theft case.

They found two tusks weighing 11.45 kilogrammes hidden under a bed.

Mr Sogomo dismissed Mubichi’s defence that he was taking care of his three children after his wife left him, saying that the loss of wildlife had serious repercussions to the country.