3 nabbed in Marimanti for possessing four live pancake tortoises
By Kenneth Mwenda, August 11, 2025A joint operation by the National Police Service (NPS) and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) led to the arrest of three people found with four live pancake tortoises in Marimanti Market on Sunday, August 10, 2025.
The three were caught transporting the tortoises, which were hidden inside a carton. Authorities quickly took them into custody and secured the animals as evidence. The suspects are now awaiting court arraignment.
The National Police Service thanked members of the public for their role in the arrest.
“The National Police Service commends the public for providing the intelligence that led to the successful operation,” NPS said in a statement on their official social media page on Monday, August 11, 2025.
Pancake Tortoises are a protected species in Kenya. They are known for their flat, flexible shells, which help them squeeze into narrow rock crevices to avoid predators. Because of their unique appearance and rarity, they are often targeted by illegal wildlife traders.
Kenya’s ongoing wildlife protection
The arrest highlights the continued efforts by Kenyan authorities to crack down on wildlife trafficking. The joint operation between NPS and KWS is part of a wider strategy to protect endangered animals and stop illegal trade within the country.
In a separate incident, earlier in April, several were arrested in Nakuru County for attempting to smuggle over 5,000 live queen ants, including the rare Messor cephalotes species, out of Kenya. The ants were found stored in over 2,200 modified test tubes at a guesthouse, with an estimated street value of 1 million Kenyan shillings.
Wildlife trafficking is a serious crime that threatens biodiversity and disrupts ecosystems. The Kenyan government has put in place strict laws to conserve its natural heritage. The work of agencies such as the Kenya Wildlife Service is critical in enforcing these laws and preventing poaching.
Local communities and members of the public also play an important role in wildlife protection.