A Chinese national has been the first person to be convicted under tough new laws designed to stem a surge in poaching in the country.
Tang Yong Jian who was arrested last week carrying an ivory tusk weighing 3.4 kilogram’s in a suitcase while in transit from Mozambique to China has been ordered by the court to pay Sh20 million or be jailed for seven years.
Under the new law, which came into force a month ago, dealing in wildlife trophies carries a minimum fine of a million shillings or a minimum jail sentence of five years, or both.
Kenya Wildlife Service spokesman Paul Udoto has welcomed the verdict terming it a milestone towards the fight against poaching.
Kenya is a key transit point for ivory smuggled from across the region.
AUTHOR: EDNER MAGANGI