Chinese National Faces Charges Over Live Ant Smuggling

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has charged a 37-year-old Chinese national alongside a Kenyan man over alleged involvement in the illegal trade of live wildlife species, specifically thousands of ants.

According to court proceedings, Zhang Kequn, 37, and Charles Mwangi, 35, were arraigned on Tuesday before the Jomo Kenyatta International Law Courts, where they faced charges of dealing in live wildlife species and conspiracy to commit a felony.

Prosecution Counsel John Tago and Mercy Katsivo told the court that the two accused persons were found engaging in the unlawful trade on March 10, 2026.

“Kequn and Mwangi were on 10th March 2026 found dealing in live wildlife species, namely 1948 garden ants packaged in specialized tubes and 300 live ants packaged in three rolls of tissue without a permit,” the prosecution stated.

Details of Charges and Arrest

The court further heard that Charles Mwangi faced an additional count of dealing in live wildlife species stemming from a separate incident.

“On 13th March 2026, in Gilgil town, he was found dealing in live wildlife species, namely 1,000 pieces of live ants in a pink basin, 113 pieces of garden ants stashed in specialized syringes, and 503 pieces of empty syringes in a white sack without a permit,” the prosecution added.

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The accused persons were also jointly charged with conspiracy to commit a felony.

The prosecution told the court that, “on diverse dates between 10th and 13th March, they conspired to commit an offense, namely dealing in live wildlife species, namely garden ants.”

Court Proceedings and Plea

Both Kequn and Mwangi pleaded not guilty to all charges before Senior Principal Magistrate Irene Gichobi.

The prosecution disclosed financial transactions allegedly linking the two, stating that, “Kequn paid Mwangi Ksh 60,000 for 600 live ants supplied and an additional Ksh 70,000 for the other 700 live ants,” noting that “he was buying each live ant at Ksh. 100.”

The Directorate of Public Prosecutions opposed the release of the Chinese national on bond, arguing that he poses a flight risk.

The court was told that Kequn, “arrived in the country on 27th February 2026 on a tourism visa; hence, he is a flight risk and has no fixed abode.”

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Case Timeline and Next Mention

The case underscores growing scrutiny over illegal wildlife trade, even involving less conspicuous species such as ants, which are increasingly targeted for ecological or commercial purposes.

The matter is scheduled for mention on March 27, 2026, as investigations and prosecution proceedings continue.

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JKIA Immigration officers inspecting the ants that were being smuggled by Chinese national out of Kenya. PHOTO/ ODPP