Taita Taveta: Man jailed 7 years for dealing in pangolin scales worth Ksh.300K

A Taita Taveta court has sentenced a man to seven years in prison for dealing in pangolin scales valued at Ksh.300,000 without a permit.

Musa Ngondi was convicted of dealing in wildlife trophies belonging to a critically endangered species, contrary to Section 92(2), as read with Section 105 of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said Ngondi was arrested on July 23, 2025, following a tip-off from a member of the public who reported that individuals at Green Park Hotel in Taveta sub-county were in possession of pangolin scales and seeking a buyer.

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers from the Tsavo West National Park investigation team subsequently organised an operation at the hotel, with one officer posing as a potential buyer.

According to the prosecution, Ngondi arrived at the hotel with another man, who later left the premises, leaving him behind.

The undercover officer approached Ngondi and asked to see the merchandise, prompting him to remove four pangolin scales from his pocket and display them.

The scales, which were tied with nylon paper and wrapped in white netting, weighed a combined 0.096 grams and were valued at Ksh.300,000.

Taveta Senior Principal Magistrate Cecilia Kithinji handed down the sentence after the prosecution, led by Prosecution Counsel Charles Mogaka, proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

The court granted Ngondi 14 days to appeal against the conviction and sentence.