3 Chinese charged with possession of Ksh.4M wildlife trophies

Three Chinese nationals arrested in Kilimani area, Nairobi, for being in possession of decomposing meat were on Monday arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts and charged with being in possession of wildlife trophies.

This comes even as a Kenyan national arrested alongside the three was released after investigations revealed he was just an employee of the three.

Shang Li Yun, Xing Wei and Zhang Jie denied three counts of being in possession of wildlife trophies, keeping a wildlife trophy among other charges.

The foreigners were allegedly found in possession of one rhino horn worth Ksh.1.8 million, leopard skin worth Ksh.500,000, two elephant ivories, two human-sculptured ivory statues, two lion-sculptured ivory statues, seven ivory necklaces and five assorted ivory bangles all valued at Ksh.4 million.

The three were also found to have kept a live tortoise which the court directed to be released to the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) after the police made an application saying it was wild by nature and might fall sick and die.

Shang Li Yun and her son, Zhang Jie, were charged with engaging in business for profit without permit. Zhang Jie was also, however, charged with being unlawfully present in Kenya.

Lawyer Nyakundi told the court that Shang Li Yun, who operates a supermarket on Ngong Road, had applied to renew her work permit at the time she was arrested.

Nyakundi further argued that the law has allowed bond even for the wildlife charges, adding that the prosecution’s reasons for denial of bail are flimsy.

Senior Principal Magistrate Kennedy Cheruiyot is set to rule on the bail application on Tuesday.

The three suspects were arrested after police officers from Kilimani Police Station received a complaint from the residents of Aberdare Court on Kayahwe Road of a strange foul smell emanating from one of the houses.