Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison After Being Caught With Pangolin Scales Worth KSh 300,000

A man has been sentenced to seven years in prison after being convicted of dealing in pangolin scales worth KSh 300,000 in Taveta, Taita-Taveta County.

Musa Ngondi was found guilty of dealing in wildlife trophies belonging to a critically endangered species without a permit or other lawful authorisation, contrary to Section 92(2), as read with Section 105 of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act.

According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the case arose from an incident on July 23, 2025, when Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers received a tip-off from a member of the public about a suspected wildlife trophy deal at Green Park Hotel in Taveta Sub-County.

The informant reported that individuals at the hotel possessed pangolin scales and were looking for a buyer.

Following the tip-off, officers from the Tsavo West National Park investigation team organised an operation at the hotel, with one officer posing as a potential buyer.

The officers spotted Ngondi arriving at the premises with another man. The second man later left, leaving Ngondi behind.

The undercover officer then approached Ngondi and asked to see the items he intended to sell. Ngondi reportedly took the pangolin scales from his pocket and showed them to the officer.

The scales were tied with nylon paper and wrapped in a piece of white netting. They weighed 0.096 grams and were valued at KSh 300,000.

The operation led to Ngondi’s prosecution for dealing in wildlife trophies without the required authorisation.

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

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

Pangolins are among the world’s most threatened mammals and are targeted by illegal wildlife traders for their scales and meat.

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