Four officers Peter Kuria Kimungi, Constable Martin M. Marangu, Francis K. Karanja and Stephen Chege Ngawai accused of beiong in possession of five kilograms of ivory ivory at the Kibera law courts on Tuesday March 1, 2016.
BY SAM ALFAN.
Four officers attached to senior government officials were on Tuesday charged before a Nairobi court.
The four were on charged with possession of five kilograms of ivory at the Kibera law courts.
Constable Peter Kuria Kimungi, Constable Martin M. Marangu, Francis K. Karanja and Stephen Chege Ngawai are accused on 29 February at Nairobi West Shopping center jointly with others were found in possession of a Wildlife Trophy namely, one piece of Raw Elephant tusks weighing five kilograms on board a Grey Toyota Prado M/Vehicle Reg KAV 858 F, with a street value of KSH 500,000.
They denied the charges before Kibera Resident Magistrate Charles Ondieki.
The officers were arrested on Monday afternoon with five kilogram’s of elephant tusk in Nairobi.
Constable Peter Kuria Kimungi attached to a former Cabinet Minister’s, Constable Martin M. Marangu, attached to a Principal Secretary, Corporal Francis K. Karanja attached to a Cabinet Secretary as a driver, and Corporal Stephen Chege Ngawai, who is also attached to a Principal Secretary.
Officers from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) also detained a government-owned vehicle that was being used by the officers.
Four Administration Police officers were nabbed trying to sell five kilogram’s of ivory, valued at about Sh1 million, in Nairobi West on Monday evening.
The KWS said in a statement on Tuesday that the suspects belong to ‘Security of Government Buildings’ Unit based at Uhuru Camp in Nairobi.
KWS official said they will continue to work with the National Police Service and other security agencies in dealing firmly and without prejudice with cases of government officials involved in illegal activities.”
Nairobi police commander Japheth Koome said the suspects’ arrest followed a tip-off by members of the public of the transportation of elephant tusks.
They were remanded at industrial area for three days after prosecution opposed the accused to be released on bail.
