The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has secured a major victory in the fight against wildlife crime after a court sentenced a man to five years in prison for illegally possessing elephant tusks in Tana River County.
Ahmed Guyo Hiddi was convicted and sentenced by the Garsen Law Court after the prosecution proved that he was in possession of trophies from an endangered wildlife species without the required permit or exemption from the Director General of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
The court heard that on January 19, 2024, Hiddi was found in possession of two pieces of elephant tusks at Tarasaa Junction in Ngao Location, Tana River County.
Man jailed 5 years over illegal possession of elephant tusks in Tana River. Photo: Courtesy
The tusks weighed approximately 3.8 kilograms and were valued at KSh380,000.
The case was prosecuted by Prosecution Counsel Job Nyakundi before Principal Magistrate Leah Wasige.
During the trial, the prosecution called five witnesses, including an expert witness and the investigating officer, whose testimonies linked the accused directly to the offence.
Following the conviction, the defence pleaded for a non-custodial sentence, citing medical records and a pre-sentence report that recommended probation.
However, the prosecution opposed the request, arguing that the medical documents presented were outdated and that wildlife crimes remain prevalent in the region.
The prosecution further urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence, emphasizing the need to protect Kenya’s endangered wildlife and discourage illegal wildlife trade.
In her ruling, Magistrate Wasige agreed with the prosecution’s submissions and sentenced Hiddi to five years’ imprisonment.
The court also gave him the option of paying a fine of KSh3 million. He was subsequently committed to Malindi GK Prison.
