A middle-aged man and his accomplice who were arrested last year at Kimana with animal trophies were on Friday found guilty by a Loitokitok law court.
In a judgement read by Principal Magistrate Judicaster Nthuku, Leshan Musa Ole Timoi and Emily Wakesho Ngali were found guilty for being in possession of six lion teeth and 12 lion claws on June 21, 2021 at Kimana town.
The two were arrested at Kimana town by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers while looking for a buyer.
However, in their defense, the two claimed they deal with precious stones and on the material day, they had agreed to meet at Kimana town with a client by the name Cosmas who wanted some precious stones
At Kimana town before entering a local restaurant they met Cosmas who picked the hand bag with the 6g precious stones worth Sh30,000 from Timoi only to return back to Ngali after some few minutes before they settled inside the hotel.
However, while sitting in the hotel, they were approached by two officers who identified themselves as KWS officers.
Meanwhile, their client disappeared immediately and upon search by the officers, the hand bag was found with the animal trophies.
While testifying in court, a KWS officer attached at Loitokitok Peter Wamoke had said on the material day they received intelligence report from their informer that two people were in possession of wildlife trophy.
Wamoke and two other officers proceeded to a hotel in Kimana posing as buyers and soon the accused arrived in company of the informer.
The court heard that Ngali produced a purse with the said trophies and handed to Timoi who then handed it to Wamoke ready for negotiation.
On identifying the trophies, the KWS officers identified themselves and arrested the two.
The court found the prosecution had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt and set May 30 for sentencing. Meanwhile, the accused will remain in custody at Loitokitok police station.
