This archive report was first published on 6 August 2019.
On August 6, 2019, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers made a significant arrest along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway, impounding over 200kgs of wild meat destined for Nairobi's Burma Market.
The suspects, including a Naivasha trader, were arrested after a tip-off by farm guards in Marula farm, located off the Nairobi-Nakuru highway. A personal car ferrying the meat was also impounded during the arrest.
This incident comes just days after KWS officers arrested two suspects along the highway while in possession of 14kgs of elephant ivory.
According to KWS Assistant Director Aggrey Maumo, the game meat trade for commercial reasons is on the rise in the area, with Naivasha and Gilgil identified as the main sources of the meat.
Maumo attributed the high cases of game meat trade to the large number of wild animals away from Hells Gate and Mt Longonot national parks and nearby game sanctuaries.
“There are so many wild animals away from the parks and the ranches and the unscrupulous traders are taking advantage of this to kill them and sell the meat to unsuspecting customers,” Maumo said.
Maumo added that KWS is working with local communities to address the issue and has formed a special team to tackle the problem.
“The suspects have been targeting buffalo and zebra meat for commercial purposes but their days are numbered as we shall get them,” Maumo said.
Motorists using the Nairobi-Nakuru highway have been warned to be on high alert following an increase in the number of wildlife crossing the road, with areas such as Marula, Gilgil weighbridge, and Soysambu being particularly affected.
