Chinese National Jailed for Smuggling Ants from Kenya

Zhang Kequn was arrested at Nairobi's main airport last month while attempting to travel to China with the ants in his luggage. He was charged with illegally dealing in wildlife species. Judge Irene Gichobi, in her ruling on Wednesday, described Zhang as not "entirely honest" and lacking in remorse, emphasizing the need for a stiff deterrent sentence due to the rising cases of dealing in large quantities of garden ants and their negative ecological side effects. Zhang initially pleaded not guilty but later changed his plea to guilty.

The court heard that Zhang had purchased the ants from Kenyan national Charles Mwangi for 10,000 Kenyan shillings for every 100 ants. Mwangi was also charged and is currently out on bail. After serving his year in prison, Zhang will be referred to his home country. He has 14 days to appeal the sentence. This incident follows a similar case in May last year, where a Kenyan court sentenced four men—two Belgians, a Vietnamese, and a Kenyan—to one year in prison or a fine for attempting to smuggle thousands of live queen ants destined for collectors in Europe and Asia.