By R, KNA
A Maralal court has directed the destruction of 7.8 tons of sandal wood with an approximate value of Sh7.8 million.
Maralal Senior Principal Magistrate (SPM), Sitati Temba, directed the destruction by fire of the haul which was intercepted by a joint security team on September 21, 2025 at Ntutu village in Samburu east sub county.
While issuing the ruling, the magistrate underscored that the investigating officer had testified in court and produced the exhibits before the prosecution counsel applied for destruction to avoid it getting back into the black market.
“We have secured the exhibits through photographs, weighing certificate and samples have been taken for analysis. The destruction is to avoid the sandalwood finding its way back to the black market.” He said.
Samburu County Commissioner, John Cheruiyot, affirmed that the government will continue cracking down on harvesters of illegal sandalwood.
“These illegal activities are mainly carried out in Samburu East and I advise locals to stay away from harvesting sandal wood but instead report any suspicious activities in their area,” he said.
The destruction which was carried out at Maralal police station compound was supervised by, Sitati Temba, members of the county Intelligence Committee (CSIC), National Police Service Officers, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the Kenya Forest Service.
Meanwhile, two suspects Francis Maina Waweru and Francis Kinuthia Karanja who pleaded not guilty will remain in custody at the Maralal GK Prison as the case proceeds on.
