The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODDP) on Thursday secured a nine-year custodial sentence against a man convicted of illegally exporting wildlife products and forging official permits.
The case, which dates back to 2019 and involved international cooperation with authorities in the United States, concluded at the Kibera Law Courts and highlights growing efforts to combat transnational wildlife trafficking networks.
The accused, Peter Omwangala Atepe, was convicted at the Kibera Law Courts, where Principal Magistrate Margaret Murage sentenced him to serve a total of nine years in prison after he was found guilty of several offences linked to wildlife trafficking.
The charges were brought under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, legislation designed to protect wildlife resources and regulate the trade of wildlife products.
Court proceedings established that the accused had engaged in the illegal exportation of wildlife products and forged official wildlife documentation to facilitate the shipments.
During sentencing, the court recognised the complexity of the case and acknowledged the determined efforts of the prosecution team in bringing the matter to a conclusion.
The prosecution was led by Principal Prosecution Counsel Michael Mutune, who represented the state during the lengthy trial.
Judicial records indicate that the accused attempted to derail the case over several years, contributing to delays that saw the proceedings stretch from 2019 until 2024, when the first witness eventually testified before the court.
Because of the delays and the complexity of the investigation, the case became one of the oldest pending matters before the court.
Authorities noted that the prosecution involved multiple procedural challenges, which contributed to the extended timeline of the proceedings.
The case also had significant international dimensions.
Investigations were initiated following a Mutual Legal Assistance request submitted by wildlife protection authorities in the United States, who sought cooperation from Kenyan authorities after an accomplice connected to the case was arrested in the US.
The request prompted a joint investigation that involved Kenyan law enforcement agencies working closely with international counterparts.
Through coordinated efforts between the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the suspect was eventually apprehended in Kenya and charged before the Kibera Law Courts.
While the Kenyan suspect was prosecuted locally, his accomplice faced separate prosecution proceedings in the United States.
Evidence presented during the trial showed that the accused had forged a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) import licence in order to facilitate the re-export of wildlife products from Kenya to the United States.
Investigators told the court that the wildlife items involved in the scheme included northern deer products, elk products and peacock feathers.
Authorities said the forged licence was intended to legitimise the shipment of the wildlife products across international borders.
Further evidence presented by prosecutors indicated that the accused had also forged revenue stamps belonging to the Kenya Wildlife Service on import and export permits used in the process of shipping the wildlife products.
These forged permits were used to support the attempted re-export of the wildlife items.
In addition to the forgery charges, the accused also faced a separate count of exporting wildlife products without a valid permit.
After reviewing the evidence presented during the trial, the court concluded that the prosecution had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt despite the numerous legal and procedural challenges encountered during the proceedings.
Legal officials say the conviction reinforces Kenya’s determination to address wildlife crime, which continues to pose a threat to biodiversity and conservation efforts across the region.
Wildlife trafficking networks often operate across borders, making international cooperation critical in tracking suspects, gathering evidence and prosecuting offenders.
Authorities said the outcome of the case demonstrates the importance of collaboration between national enforcement agencies and global partners in combating the illegal wildlife trade.
Prosecutors said the conviction also highlights ongoing efforts to strengthen legal enforcement mechanisms aimed at protecting endangered species and safeguarding wildlife resources.
