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Two herders accused of illegally possessing elephant tusks have been given stringent bond terms of Sh1 million each after being charged.
The two were arraigned before Mombasa chief magistrate Martha Mutuku on Wednesday.
They were accused of dealing in ivory and allegedly found with Sh2 million worth of elephant tusks by Kenya Wildlife Service detectives.
The court declined to remand them but imposed hefty bond terms of Sh1 million each, with two personal sureties and an alternative Sh1 million cash bail.
The prosecution through principal prosecuting counsel Alex Gituma had opposed their release on bond after the investigation officer stated that the two could abscond trial.
The accused were also said to have no place of abode with the investigator stating they are herders, who continuously migrate with their animals in search of pasture and water.
However, Mutuku ruled that the charges facing them are bailable but released them on stringent terms to ensure they attend the trial.
The two men were charged with dealing in wildlife trophies of an endangered species worth Sh2 million without a permit contrary to Section 92(2) of the Wildlife Conservation Act.
They were allegedly jointly found dealing in two (2) pieces of elephant tusk weighing 6 kg concealed in a brownish safari bag without a permit or other lawful exemption.
The two allegedly committed the crime on 13 June 13, 2023, in Mwembe Tayari area within Mombasa County.
The case has been fixed for pre-trial on 22 June 2023. BY THE STAR