KWS OFFICERS ARREST 6 SUSPECTED POACHERS WITH 200KG OF GIRAFFE MEAT

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers in Garissa County have carried out a successful late-night operation, arresting six suspected poachers and seizing a large amount of giraffe meat along with a military rifle.

The officers acted on a tip about a vehicle carrying armed men and illegal animal products. They set up a hidden checkpoint along the Garissa–Daadab road at Alango Arba (Hagarbul) in Fafi Sub-County. In the middle of the night, the team waited in silence for the suspects to arrive. Soon after, the suspects drove directly into the trap. The officers stopped a white Suzuki Alto with registration number KDC 529C. Inside, they found evidence of serious wildlife crime.

The six suspects are: Ali Idow Yussuf (66) found with an AK-47 rifle loaded with 13 bullets. He also carried an extra magazine with 30 more bullets in a jungle pouch. He was wearing jungle combat clothing and falsely claimed to be an NPR officer based in Gadude. Fuad Hussein Mukhtar (30),  the driver, Mahat Diriye Hussein (34), Hassan Jehow Diriye (56), Idle Farah Dagane (52) and Hussein Ibrahim Abdulrahman (45).

When officers searched the vehicle, they found about 200 kilograms of what is believed to be giraffe meat, plus the head of a giraffe. The seized items are worth an estimated KSh200,000. Seven mobile phones of different types were also recovered. Investigators believe the phones were used to plan the illegal activities.

The rifle and bullets have been kept as evidence at the KWS Garissa Station. The suspects were first held at Garissa Police Station and later moved to KWS Headquarters in Nairobi. They will appear in court soon to face charges.