How Former MP’s Ex-Wife Was Nabbed Transporting Elephant Tusks Valued at Over KSh 11 Million

• The woman, who was in the company of another lady, was found with five pieces of elephant tusks
• They were transporting the five pieces of wildlife trophy valued at over KSh 11 million in a car when they were arrested in Kwale county
• One of the accused is the wife of former Msambweni MP Omar Zonga, who served in the 10th Parliament of Kenya

Michael Ollinga is a journalist at TUKO.co.ke with over 10 years of experience covering courts and crimes, special reports, and current affairs in Kenya.

An ex-wife of a former Kenyan MP has been arraigned for being found in possession of elephant tusks worth KSh 11.1 million.

Msambweni MP in the 10th Parliament

Tima Omar, the ex-wife of a former Msambweni MP was charged alongside Bahatisha Juma Said for allegedly being in possession of 111.98kg of elephant tusks.

Tima was married to the former legislator before the two parted ways after irreconcilable differences.

The two were arrested on Saturday, January 6, at around 9 a.m. while in the Majoreni area of Lunga Lunga, Kwale county.

Wildlife trophies laws in Kenya

Charge details indicated that the suspect was arrested with at least five elephant tusks in a Nissan Lafesta car with registration number KDE 523 U, linked to a Shimoni-base police officer.

Appearing before Msambweni Chief Magistrate Sandra Ogoto, Tima and Bahatisha faced at least two counts of being in illegal possession of wildlife trophies.

According to a charge sheet, the two suspects were found in possession of wildlife trophies, namely five pieces of elephant tusks weighing 111.98kg with a street value of KSh 11 198 000.

Elephant tusks are classified as trophies of endangered species.

According to the police cover report, the five elephant tusks had been concealed in white sacks and packed in the vehicle without a permit or other lawful exemption, contrary to Section 92(2) as read with Section 105(1) of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act.

In the second count, Tima and Bahatisha were charged with being in possession of endangered species trophies without any official permit.

Bail terms for breaking wildlife conservation laws in Kenya

They denied the charges and were granted KSh 3 million each with the same surety amounts ahead of the case’s mention on Wednesday, January 24.

The court set the case hearing date for February 21, 2024.

Following the arrest and charging, wildlife lobby groups are now calling on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to go after the owner of the impounded vehicle and establish his role, alleging that it belonged to a security officer.

Caleb Ngwela, one of the rights defenders, claimed that the vehicle was the property of a police officer.

He said the DCI should go after the officer and expose them for abusing their office by colluding with lawbreakers and abetting illegalities.

Source: TUKO.co.ke