Police arrest three for trading in illegal ivory

Police and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) rangers in Trans Nzoia County have arrested three men and seized 48 kilograms of illegal ivory worth Sh4.8 million.

Trans Nzoia police boss Fredrick Ochieng said the suspects were seized  after officials received a tip-off that the men were planning to sell the elephant tusks.

Mr Ochieng said: "Our officers together with KWS officials posed as buyers and managed to intercept eight pieces of elephant tusks and arrested the three."

The eight pieces were fresh, indicating that they came from elephants killed recently, officials said.

The suspects will be arraigned for trading in illegal ivory, the police boss said.

Mr Ochieng thanked members of the public for their corporation by providing information that made it possible for authorities to nab the suspects.

"The spirit of community policing will help us curb poaching which has endangered many wildlife," he said.