Charles Mwangi, a Kenyan national, was arraigned on Monday at JKIA court for supplying live garden ants to foreigners.
Police recovered over 1,000 live ants and hundreds of syringes, with evidence linking him to past consignments seized abroad.
Prosecutors said Mwangi worked with accomplices in Naivasha, Mombasa, and Kajiado. He remains in custody as investigations continue ahead of the next court mention on March 19.
Mwangi appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Irene Gichobi at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) law court following a police raid on his residence, which led to the recovery of 1,000 unpackaged live garden ants, 113 live ants packaged in modified syringes, and 503 empty syringes, reportedly intended for international supply.
Prosecution Counsel John Tago and Mercy Katsivo told the court that following Mwangi’s arrest, investigators conducted follow-up operations at Moonlight Hotel in Nakuru town.
CCTV footage retrieved from the hotel revealed that Mwangi had previously supplied live ants to a Chinese national, Zhang Kequn, on March 5, 2026.
The prosecution further linked Mwangi to a consignment of garden ants seized in Bangkok, Thailand, on March 10, 2026.
The shipment, originating from Mombasa, Kenya, was reportedly connected to another key associate domiciled in the coastal city.
“The respondent supplied the said ants in April 2025 to three suspects, Vietnamese, Belgian, and Kenyan, who were arrested and charged in the JKIA law court,” Tago informed the court.
Authorities allege that Mwangi has a network of accomplices across Naivasha sub-county, Mombasa, and Kajiado counties, indicating a coordinated cross-border operation.
The magistrate directed that Mwangi be detained at Langata Police Station for three days to allow investigators to complete inquiries into the scope of the syndicate and the destinations of the ant consignments. The case is scheduled to be mentioned again on March 19, 2026.
The prosecution’s case raises concerns about the illegal trade of live insects and the potential risks it poses, including violations of wildlife protection laws and international trade regulations.
Authorities have stressed the importance of tracking both the individuals involved and the routes used to export such unusual commodities.
“The recovery of live ants in syringes points to a sophisticated method of transporting wildlife products internationally,” said a law enforcement officer familiar with the investigation.
“Our focus is to dismantle the network and prevent further illegal exports that could threaten local biodiversity and contravene international agreements.”
This case comes amid growing awareness of unconventional wildlife trafficking in Kenya, where authorities are intensifying efforts to curb illegal trade in flora and fauna.
While most high-profile cases often involve ivory, pangolins, and exotic pets, the smuggling of insects has drawn attention due to its novelty and cross-border dimensions.
Experts have noted that live ants are sometimes used for culinary purposes, research, or as exotic pets, which may explain the demand from foreign clients.
However, the method of packaging and the volume recovered in this case suggests commercial-scale operations that violate Kenyan and international laws.
Mwangi remains in custody, with the DPP emphasizing that investigations will continue to identify additional suspects and trace any other consignment shipments linked to the operation.
Authorities have also highlighted the use of surveillance, CCTV, and cross-border cooperation as critical tools in combating wildlife trafficking, including unconventional species such as garden ants.
