Three men were Monday arraigned before a Marsabit court for allegedly carrying out illegal fishing within the Sibiloi national park in Marsabit County.
Samuel Ekalale, David Ekitoi and Salfo Ekiru who appeared before principal magistrate Simon Arome also faced two other counts of trespassing into the game park and setting up fishing nets and catching fish without a license.
The trio denied the offence which they reportedly committed on January 24, this year and were released on a cash bail of Sh60,000 each.
On the material day, the accused were allegedly found within the protected area by Kenya wildlife service (KWS) rangers on patrol with fishing gear and 100 kilograms of fish.
“The suspects were found with fishing gear and 100 kilograms of fish by KWS officers which they caught in the protected marine area that they had gained entry illegally,” the prosecutor Kilinget Olowuaru told the court.
The prosecution presented photographs and impounded fishing gear by KWS officers as evidence of the offences committed by the accused.
The case will be mentioned on February 10, 2025 while the hearing was scheduled for February 21, this year.
By Sebastian Miriti and Mike Osumo
