Waziri Mayai Wa Maradhi
JF-Expert Member
- Jan 28, 2026
- 409
- 98
A Kenyan court on Wednesday mandated that a Chinese individual pay a fine of 1 million shillings ($7,746) and sentenced him to 12 months in prison for attempting to smuggle live ants out of the country.
The magistrate in the case stated that a severe penalty was necessary to deter others, given the increasing number of ant-trafficking cases in Kenya.
This demand caters to markets, particularly in China, where enthusiasts have invested significant amounts to maintain ant colonies in large transparent containers known as formicariums, which enable them to observe the intricate social structures and behaviours of the species.
Chinese citizen Zhang Kequn was apprehended last month at Nairobi’s primary international airport with over 2,200 live garden ants found in his luggage.
Zhang's attorney indicated that he plans to appeal his sentence. He originally entered a plea of not guilty to charges such as trafficking in live wildlife species but later switched his plea to guilty.
A Kenyan individual, Charles Mwangi, was also charged in connection with the case, accused of providing the ants to Zhang.
Mwangi has maintained his not guilty plea and is currently out on bail. His case was not presented in court on Wednesday.
The magistrate in the case stated that a severe penalty was necessary to deter others, given the increasing number of ant-trafficking cases in Kenya.
This demand caters to markets, particularly in China, where enthusiasts have invested significant amounts to maintain ant colonies in large transparent containers known as formicariums, which enable them to observe the intricate social structures and behaviours of the species.
Chinese citizen Zhang Kequn was apprehended last month at Nairobi’s primary international airport with over 2,200 live garden ants found in his luggage.
Zhang's attorney indicated that he plans to appeal his sentence. He originally entered a plea of not guilty to charges such as trafficking in live wildlife species but later switched his plea to guilty.
A Kenyan individual, Charles Mwangi, was also charged in connection with the case, accused of providing the ants to Zhang.
Mwangi has maintained his not guilty plea and is currently out on bail. His case was not presented in court on Wednesday.