Yesterday the police seized leopard skin, ivory pieces, rhino horn and a live tortoise and large quality of dog meat , three foreigners of China nationality and a Kenya who were arrested will be charged in court on Wednesday for being in possession of game trophies.
The suspects were arrested during a raid at their house in Nairobi’s Kilimani area where police also netted contraband goods that include cigarettes worth more than Sh2 million and alcoholic drinks.
The raid was carried out by a multi-agency team including detectives, officers from the Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Bureau of Standards and the Kenya Revenue of Authority.
Police said they suspect the large quantities of meat was from dogs and other wild animals, with investigations now being undertaken jointly, with public health officials.
Locals said they tipped police of the presence of the trophies after detecting a putrid smell from the house.
Nairobi Deputy Regional Police Commander Richard Kerich, who visited the scene and left after briefing journalists, said the suspects will be taken to court.
“We shall interrogate them before charging them in court,” he said, without elaborating.
It all started when public health officers in the company of police officers went to the house to confirm whether the foreigners were running a slaughterhouse within a residential area, following complaints from neighbours.
The officers said they were faced by violent resistance from the Chinese nationals, who claimed that they work for a senior politician.
Another officer said, “they manhandled our colleague. They alleged to be architects currently building a house for the powerful politician.”
The officers later called for a back-up from Kilimani Police Division, who subdued the suspects and commenced a search that lasted more than 8 hours.
“The house was extremely dirty. How can people survive in such an environment?” one of the officers who took part in the operation said of the strong stench from the house.
“It has been hell living here. They usually bring the meat and other stuff at night using a grey van,” one of the neighbours, who declined to give her name.
Apart from the tortoise, the Chinese were also keeping two black pets and a dog.