A Mombasa Court has imposed stringent bond terms for two suspected ivory dealers allegedly found with Ksh 2 million worth of elephant tusks by Kenya Wildlife Service detectives.
Mombasa Chief Magistrate Ms. Martha Mutuku declined did not remand the two Samuel Nason Mosima and Bokisa Maleto but imposed hefty bond terms of each Sh 1million, with two personal sureties and an alternative Sh1million cash bail.
Through PPC Alex Gituma, the prosecution opposed their release after the investigation officer stated that the two could abscond trial.
The accused also claimed 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 were bailable but released them on strict terms to ensure they attended the trial.
The two men were charged with dealing in wildlife trophies of an endangered species worth Sh 2 million without a permit, contrary to Section 92(2) of the Wildlife Conservation Act.
Mosima and Maleto were allegedly 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, leading to another charge.
The two offenses were allegedly committed on 13 June 2023 at around 0900hrs at the Mwembe Tayari area within Mombasa County.
The case has been fixed for pre-trial on June 22, 2023.