A Chinese national has been handed a one-year prison sentence and a hefty fine for attempting to smuggle thousands of live queen garden ants out of Kenya, highlighting a growing and lucrative illegal wildlife trade.
Zhang Kequn was sentenced by a Nairobi court on Wednesday, with Judge Irene Gichobi imposing an additional fine of 1 million Kenyan shillings (approximately $7,737). The judge noted Zhang's lack of remorse and described him as not being "entirely honest" during proceedings.
"There is need for a stiff deterrent sentence," Judge Gichobi stated, citing "rising cases of dealing in large quantities of garden ants and the negative ecological side effects."
The case stems from Zhang's arrest at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on March 10, where authorities discovered over 2,000 live ants concealed in his luggage as he prepared to board a flight to China. He initially pleaded not guilty to charges of illegally dealing in wildlife species but later changed his plea to guilty.
Court documents revealed Zhang purchased the insects from Kenyan national Charles Mwangi at a rate of 10,000 Kenyan shillings (about $77) per 100 ants. Mwangi has also been charged in connection with the scheme and is currently out on bail awaiting trial.
Kenyan wildlife officials have expressed concern over increasing international demand for these insects, particularly in Europe and Asia where collector markets value individual queen garden ants at around $220 each. The high price tag has turned ant smuggling into a profitable niche within wildlife trafficking networks.
This case follows a similar prosecution last May, when a Kenyan court sentenced four men—two Belgians, a Vietnamese national, and a Kenyan—to one year in prison or a $7,700 fine for attempting to smuggle thousands of queen ants out of the country. Those insects were also reportedly destined for overseas collectors.
Following his prison term, Zhang will be deported to China. His lawyer has indicated he will appeal the sentence within the 14-day window provided by the court.