Four individuals, including three foreign nationals, are set to appear in court for their involvement in the trafficking of garden ants.
Authorities have announced that these four suspects will be presented before the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) court in connection with a case concerning the trafficking of garden ants.
The accused include two Belgian citizens, one Vietnamese national, and one Kenyan national, who are facing charges related to the illegal possession and attempted smuggling of numerous live garden ants. This case represents a notable intensification of Kenya’s efforts to combat unconventional wildlife crimes.
Officials have indicated that the suspects are scheduled to enter their pleas on April 14, 2025.
They are charged with dealing in live wildlife species, which is a violation of section 95(b) of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act of 2013.
While the origin of the ants remains unclear, the Kenya Wildlife Service has stated that the suspects are set to take their pleas.
This incident marks the latest in a series of similar cases being brought to court as part of ongoing initiatives to tackle this issue.
In 2023, three individuals were charged with the illegal exportation of safari ants valued at Sh300,000 to France.
Martin Nyota, Rose Wairimu, and Eunice Muthoni faced accusations of dealing in live wildlife species, also in violation of section 95(b) of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act of 2013.
They were alleged to have been engaged in the trade of live species of messer cephalates (safari ants) at JKIA without the necessary permits between June 2 and June 19.
Additionally, Rose Wairimu faced a separate charge of concealing prohibited goods, contrary to section 200 of the East Africa Community Customs Management Act of 2004.
The court was informed that between June 1 and June 19 at JKIA in Nairobi County, the accused mis-declared prohibited goods (safari ants) as handcrafted plastics and wooden jewelry with the intention of exporting them from Kenya to France.
