The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has charged a 37-year-old Chinese national and a Kenyan man in connection with illegal dealings involving thousands of live ants. 

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

The prosecution, led by counsel John Tago and Mercy Katsivo, told the court that the two were found on 10th March 2026 in possession of 1,948 garden ants stored in specialised tubes and an additional 300 live ants concealed in rolls of tissue, all without the required permits. 

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The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has charged a Chinese national and a Kenyan man for dealing in live wildlife species,… pic.twitter.com/B0m6MmSRIb

— Office of The Director Of Public Prosecutions (@ODPP_KE) March 17, 2026

Mwangi faced a second count after allegedly being found on 13th March in Gilgil with a further 1,000 live ants in a pink basin, 113 garden ants hidden in syringes, and 503 empty syringes in a sack, again without authorisation.

The court also heard that the pair conspired between 10th and 13th March to engage in the illegal trade of the ants. Both accused pleaded not guilty before Senior Principal Magistrate Irene Gichobi.

According to the prosecution, Zhang allegedly paid Mwangi h. 60,000 for 600 ants and an additional Ksh. 70,000 for 700 ants, purchasing each at Ksh. 100.

The DPP opposed granting bond to Zhang, arguing that he poses a flight risk as he entered Kenya on 27th February 2026 on a tourist visa and lacks a fixed place of residence in the country.

The case is scheduled for mention on 27th March 2026.