Molo court discreetly clears a Nakuru-based police officer and a businessman associated with poaching charges.
The acquittal occurs without public knowledge, raising concerns about transparency.
Our investigations have revealed that a 28-year-old police officer attached to Nakuru Central Police Station who has been charged with possessing 10Kg of of Ivory has been acquitted.
Ben Muiru Mwangi was acquited alongside Maina Gochura by Senior Principal Benard Kipyegon Rugut after the prosecution filed an application before the court.
” We file an application to withdraw the case contrary to section according to section 87(a) of our code the public prosecutor may with consent of the court at anytime withdraw from the prosecution of any person,” the court papers seen by our reporter reads.
The case was withdrawn on September 6 after the magistrate allowed the prosecution request.
” After perusing the prosecution’s request of withdrawing the case at this stage, we allow the request and the accused persons are acquitted contrary to section 87(a) of the CPC” Said the magistrate.
Prior to their withdrawal, Ben Muiru Mwangi was arrested alongside Maina Gichura, 32 in possession of ten kilograms of ivory outside one of the banks where the transaction was to take place.
Speaking to the press, Molo Sub County Police Commander Timon Odingo said that they received information that the officer was transporting the ivory and set a trap for them.
“The suspects arrived at the scene riding on a motorcycle. Asked to identify themselves, the two declined while one attempted to open one of the loaded bags,” said Odingo.
The police swung into action arresting the two and recovered the ivory and a firearm inside the bags.
“We recovered five pieces of ivory inside one of the bags. In the other bag, we found a CZ Scorpion gun which was loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition,” said Odingo.
The SCPC said that their analysis of the firearm with serial number KPB431030 indicated that it belonged to the government.
“The firearm clearly belongs to the Kenya Police Service and we are yet to establish how it was issued out. We are also seeking to know where they obtained the ivory,” he said.
