Authorities have arrested two men in Nyahururu after they were caught transporting sandalwood worth approximately Sh5 million. The suspects were intercepted by a multi-agency team during an intelligence-led operation targeting the illegal trade of protected tree species.
Highlights
- Two suspects were arrested in Nyahururu with 532 kilograms of sandalwood.
- The consignment, valued at around Sh5 million, was being ferried in a vehicle.
- The arrested duo Edwin Tenai and Daniel Makori are being held at Nyahururu Police Station.
- The vehicle and seized sandalwood were impounded as exhibits.
- The operation underscores the government’s commitment to protect endangered species and fight illegal logging.
Main Story
Interception Along Nyahururu–Rumuruti Road
A swift operation by a multi-agency team led to the arrest of two suspects who were transporting illegal sandalwood along the Nyahururu Rumuruti Road. Acting on intelligence reports, officers intercepted a vehicle bearing registration number KAX 049C.
Upon inspection, the team discovered 532 kilograms of sandalwood packed in the vehicle. The haul, estimated to be worth Sh5 million, was immediately seized and transferred to the Nyahururu Police Station for safekeeping.
Suspects in Custody
The suspects Edwin Tenai (the driver) and Daniel Makori (his accomplice) were arrested at the scene and escorted to the police station for interrogation. Both men are expected to face charges related to illegal possession and transportation of endangered species under Kenya’s environmental conservation laws.
According to police, the operation is part of a wider crackdown targeting networks involved in harvesting and selling sandalwood, a species that has been under threat due to high demand in local and international black markets.
Government’s Ongoing Crackdown
The government, through the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), has been running joint operations to stamp out illegal logging and cross-border trafficking of sandalwood.
Kenya’s sandalwood is prized for its aromatic oils used in cosmetics and medicine, but its trade has been outlawed since 2007 due to overexploitation. In recent years, authorities have seized several tonnes of illegally harvested sandalwood, underscoring the scale of the problem.
Environmental Impact and Legal Warning
Environmentalists have welcomed the latest bust, calling it a step forward in protecting Kenya’s fragile ecosystems. They urged the government to ensure that culprits are prosecuted to deter future offenders.
The police have also issued a warning to individuals involved in illegal timber harvesting, stressing that possession or transportation of prohibited forest products carries severe penalties, including heavy fines and imprisonment
With every operation, authorities are sending a strong message Kenya’s natural resources are not for plunder, and those who profit from their destruction will face the law.
