Four expected in JKIA court for trafficking garden ants

Four suspects, including three foreigners, are expected before a court for trafficking garden ants.

Officials said the four would be arraigned before the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) court over a garden ant trafficking case.

The defendants - two Belgian nationals, one Vietnamese national, and one Kenyan citizen - will face charges related to the illegal possession and attempted smuggling of dozens of live garden ants, marking a significant escalation in Kenya's fight against unconventional wildlife crimes.

Officials said the suspects will take a plea on April 14, 2025.

They are accused of dealing in live Wildlife species, an offence against section 95(b) of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act 2013.

It is not clear where the suspects had originated with the ants, but Kenya Wildlife Service officials said in a statement they had been slated for plea taking.

This is the latest such case to be presented in court amid efforts to address the menace.

In 2023, three suspects were arraigned and charged with the illegal exportation of safari ants worth Sh300,000 to France.

Martin Nyota, Rose Wairimu, and Eunice Muthoni were accused of dealing in live Wildlife species, an offence against section 95(b) of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act 2013.

They were accused that between June 2 and 19, they were jointly found dealing with life species of messer cephalates (safari ants) at the JKIA without a permit.

Rose Wairimu faced another charge of concealing prohibited goods, contrary to section 200 of the East Africa Community Customs  Management  Act 2004.

The court heard that between June 1 and 19 at JKIA within  Nairobi County, the respondent concealed by mis-declaring prohibited goods (safari ants), which were declared as handcrafted plastics and wooden jewelry with intent to export from Kenya to France.

According to the police, the trio was nabbed at the JKIA departure terminus with a species of safari ant of street value of Sh300,000 without a permit from Kenya Wildlife Services.

They denied the charges before JKIA Law Court chief magistrate  Njoki Thuku and pleaded for lenient bond terms.

They were released on Sh100,000 cash bail and Sh50,000, respectively.

Officials say the latest developments are significant in ensuring the rule of law is followed.

Kenya Wildlife Service officials said they are committed to the war against the trafficking of such species.