By KPC Reporter
A suspected international wildlife trafficker, Feisal Mohammed Ali, alias Feisal, has been arrested in Mombasa alongside his long-time accomplice, Mohammed Hassan Kontoma.
They were allegedly found in possession of rhino horns.
The two were intercepted on August 26, 2025, along Mama Ngina Drive, Mombasa, carrying two pieces of rhino horn weighing 2.2 kilograms.
Intelligence reports indicate the suspects were actively seeking a buyer for the trophies at the time of their arrest.
They were initially detained at Mombasa Central Police Station before being transferred to Lang’ata Police Station in Nairobi for arraignment at the JKIA Law Courts, which handles transnational organized crime cases.
During Wednesday’s mention, the presiding magistrate granted the defence lawyer’s request for more time to review affidavits filed by investigators seeking to hold the suspects further.
The case was adjourned to Thursday, August 28, 2025.
Feisal is a notorious figure in global wildlife trafficking networks.
He was first arrested in June 2014 in connection with 228 pieces of ivory weighing more than 2,100 kilograms, seized from a motor vehicle warehouse in Tudor, Mombasa.
Branded one of East Africa’s most wanted poaching syndicate leaders, he escaped arrest during the seizure and was later placed on an INTERPOL Red Notice.
He was eventually arrested in Tanzania in December 2014 and extradited to Kenya.
In 2016, a Mombasa court sentenced him to 20 years in prison and fined him Ksh 20 million.
However, in 2018, the High Court overturned the conviction on technical grounds, leading to his acquittal.
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Director General, Prof. Erustus Kanga, commended the latest operation, saying it underscores Kenya’s commitment to ending wildlife crime.
“The arrest and arraignment of Feisal Mohammed Ali and his accomplice once again demonstrates Kenya’s determination to fight wildlife trafficking relentlessly, no matter how long it takes. We must safeguard our iconic species and protect Kenya’s heritage for future generations,” Prof. Kanga said.
KWS emphasized that rhino horn trafficking remains a major threat to endangered populations, with illegal markets abroad continuing to fuel poaching.
The agency reiterated its commitment to working with INTERPOL and other cross-border enforcement bodies to dismantle wildlife crime networks and bring traffickers to justice.