Man jailed for seven years over pangolin scales worth Sh300,000
Musa Ngondi has been sentenced to seven years in prison for dealing in four pangolin scales valued at Sh300,000 in Taveta, Taita-Taveta County, after a court found him guilty of trafficking in wildlife trophies without a permit.
Musalia Ngondi, a resident of Taveta, Taita-Taveta County, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for trafficking pangolin scales. Court officials state that Ngondi was found guilty of dealing in wildlife trophies belonging to a critically endangered species without proper authorization, as per Section 92(2) of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act.
Taveta Senior Principal Magistrate Cecilia Kithinji delivered the verdict after prosecutors, led by Charles Mogaka, presented a case beyond reasonable doubt. The arrest transpired on July 23, 2025, following a tip-off that individuals at Green Park Hotel in Taveta possessed pangolin scales and were seeking a buyer. KWS officers, part of the Tsavo West National Park investigation team, acted upon the tip-off and conducted an operation at the hotel.
An undercover officer posed as a prospective buyer, ultimately leading to Ngondi's apprehension when he arrived at the hotel with another individual who departed before the operation commenced. The scales, weighing a total of 0.096 grams and valued at Sh300,000, were presented to the officer by Ngondi. The prosecution argued that Ngondi's actions constituted an offense under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act due to the unauthorized possession and sale of these endangered species' parts.
Ngondi has been granted a 14-day period to appeal the conviction and sentence. The case illustrates the ongoing efforts by wildlife authorities and prosecutors to combat illegal trade in wildlife products, which poses a significant threat to the survival of endangered species. Pangolins are among the world's most trafficked mammals, with their scales highly sought after in certain traditional medicine practices, despite lacking proven medicinal benefits.
Kenya Wildlife Service collaborates with law enforcement agencies and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to investigate and prosecute wildlife-related offenses, including the illegal possession and trade of protected animal trophies.
Written by urgent.news from Capital FM Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
