Two individuals suspected of trafficking were apprehended, and 15.7 kilograms of elephant tusks were confiscated from their accommodation in Kapenguria, West Pokot County.
According to police, the ivory has an estimated value of Sh15.8 million.
The suspects had reserved a room in Ortum town while awaiting a potential buyer when they were caught.
The tusks were found sealed in a black bag during the operation on November 24, as reported by police and officials from the Kenya Wildlife Service.
They are currently being held at the local police station as investigations and legal proceedings are initiated.
Authorities involved in the operation indicated that they received a tip-off regarding the traffickers’ activities prior to the raid.
The suspects are expected to face charges for possessing wildlife trophies of endangered species, in violation of Section 92(4) of the Wildlife Conservation Management Act 2013.
Officials noted that the seizure suggests the deaths of up to four elephants, likely occurring in nearby parks.
The black market for elephant tusks remains lucrative, driven by increasing demand for ivory in the East, which continues to exacerbate the illegal trade, particularly from Africa.
Despite a global ban on ivory trade, poaching of African elephants persists at alarming rates.
In response to this crisis, Kenya has begun employing advanced surveillance technologies, including drones, to monitor poachers and track elephant and rhino populations.
The Kenya Wildlife Service and its partners have established strategies to combat wildlife crime, especially poaching, which encompass community education, interagency cooperation, and targeted intelligence operations.
These initiatives contributed to a historic achievement of zero rhino poaching in Kenya in 2020, marking the first occurrence in nearly twenty years.
Annually, approximately 30,000 elephants are killed across Africa for their ivory.
In the regional context, Kenya has become a significant transit point for ivory being trafficked to Asian markets from eastern and central Africa.
The illicit ivory trade is primarily driven by demand in Asia and the Middle East, where elephant tusks and rhino horns are utilized in the creation of decorative items and traditional medicinal practices.
