A Mombasa court has released a suspect linked to the Sh109 million ivory trafficking case on bond.
The suspect, Ephantus Gitonga Mbare, who is accused of dealing in ivory without a licence from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), was released on a Sh3 million bond, with a surety of the same amount.
Mbare, a clearing and forwarding agent, alongside others who did not appear in court, are linked to the 335 pieces of ivory that were seized at the port of Mombasa on December 21, while on transit to Cambodia.
Mombasa Senior Principal Magistrate Francis Kyambia granted Mbare the bond, despite earlier opposition from Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Alexander Muteti, who had asked for more time to complete investigations.
However, the suspect's lawyer, Grace Akumu, countered the argument and appealed for a reasonable bond, arguing that her client was innocent, until proven guilty.
The case will be mentioned on February 2.