This archive report was first published on 13 September 2019.
On September 13, 2019, a Nanyuki court handed down a 12-year prison sentence to a former Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) staff member, Mohammed Hussein Warsame, for his role in killing and dehorning a rhino and a buffalo at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia in June 2011.
According to court testimony, Warsame was dismissed from the wildlife agency in July 2009 after he deserted his work station at the Tsavo East National Park.
However, in a shocking turn of events, Warsame was found guilty of killing the two animals, which were found with gunshot wounds and had their horns valued at Sh5 million plucked off.
Principal Magistrate Njeri Thuku delivered the sentence, stating that the court was aware of the seriousness of poaching and its global trend, which threatened Kenya's wildlife.
Ms Thuku sentenced Warsame to two years in jail for the first count, seven years for the second count, and three years for the third, with the sentences running consecutively.
