A police officer attached to the National Police Service Hospital in Mbagathi is among four suspects arrested over possession of a rhinoceros horn valued at approximately Sh1.5 million.
The suspects were apprehended on October 29 during a joint operation by officers from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the National Police Service along Kiambu Road in the Ridgeways area.
According to police, the operation followed intelligence reports that led officers to the suspects, who were allegedly found with a piece of rhino horn weighing about 0.7 kilogrammes. The recovered wildlife trophy was seized and secured as evidence.
The four suspects are being held in custody as investigations continue into alleged dealing in wildlife trophies, contrary to Section 92(2) of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, Cap 376.
The arrest comes amid ongoing efforts by wildlife authorities to combat poaching and the illegal trade in endangered animal products. Rhino horns and elephant tusks remain highly sought after in illegal markets, with demand continuing to drive wildlife trafficking, particularly involving products sourced from Africa.
Kenya has intensified its anti-poaching efforts through intelligence-led operations, inter-agency cooperation and the use of technology, including drones, to monitor wildlife and track suspected poachers.
In 2020, the country recorded zero rhino poaching incidents, marking the first time in nearly two decades that no rhinos were killed by poachers.
The government has also strengthened wildlife protection measures, including increased security in national parks and stricter penalties for wildlife-related offences.
