Chinese national, Kenyan charged for attempting to smuggle over 3,300 ants

A Chinese national and a Kenyan man have been charged with illegal dealing in live wildlife species after authorities intercepted thousands of ants allegedly being traded without permits.

Zhang Kequn, 37, and Charles Mwangi, 35, appeared before the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) Law Courts on Tuesday, where they faced charges of dealing in live wildlife species and conspiracy to commit a felony.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), through prosecution counsel John Tago and Mercy Katsivo, told the court that the two were arrested on March 10, 2026, while in possession of 1,948 garden ants packed in specialised tubes and an additional 300 live ants concealed in three rolls of tissue paper.

The prosecution argued that the suspects did not have the requisite permits to handle or trade in the species.

Mwangi faces a separate charge stemming from a second incident on March 13 in Gilgil town, where he was allegedly found with 1,000 live ants in a pink basin, 113 garden ants stored in specialised syringes, and 503 empty syringes in a white sack, all without authorisation.

The court further heard that the two accused persons conspired between March 10 and March 13 to engage in the illegal trade of the ants.

Investigations revealed that Kequn allegedly purchased the ants from Mwangi at a rate of Ksh.100 per ant, paying Ksh.60,000 for 600 ants and an additional Ksh.70,000 for a further 700 ants.

Both accused persons denied the charges before Senior Principal Magistrate Irene Gichobi.

The prosecution opposed granting bond to Kequn, arguing that he is a flight risk. The court heard that he entered Kenya on February 27, 2026, on a tourist visa and does not have a fixed place of residence in the country.

The matter is scheduled for mention on March 27, 2026.