Nairobi — Four individuals including two Belgians, a Vietnamese citizen, and Kenyan -- have pleaded guilty to charges of illegal possession and trade in live queen ants.
In a case heard MOnday at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) Law Courts, Prosecution led by Allen Mulama and Paula Rono told the court that the Belgians namely Lornoy David and Seppe Lodewijckx were arrested on April 5, 2025, at around 10:00 a.m. at Jane Guest House in the Lake View area of Naivasha, Nakuru County.
The two were found in possession of approximately 5,000 live queen ants stored in 2,244 tubes, with an estimated street value of Sh1 million.
They were charged with dealing in wildlife species without a permit, contrary to Section 95(c) of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, Cap 376, Laws of Kenya.
In a separate but related case, Vietnamese national Duh Hung Nguyen and Kenyan national Dennis Ng'ang'a were charged with illegal possession and trade of around 400 live queen ants, valued at Sh200,000.
The offense is reported to have occurred between the April 5 and 6 at Hemak Towers Suite in Nairobi's Central Business District and Tofina Muthama Apartments in Syokimau, Nairobi County.
All four accused appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Njeri Thuku and entered guilty pleas.
The court deferred the matter to April 15, 2025, to allow the prosecution to present the facts of the case and submit the physical exhibits.
The accused will remain in custody at the JKIA Police Station until then.
