Ivory Kingpin Feisal Mohammed Ali Re-Arrested in Mombasa
- Southerton Business Times
- Sep 7
- 2 min read
Mombasa, Kenya — One of the world’s most notorious wildlife traffickers, Feisal Mohammed Ali, has been re-arrested in Kenya in a dramatic joint operation between the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the Rapid Response Police Unit. He was found with 2.2 kilograms of rhino horn in his possession.
“This arrest demonstrates Kenya’s commitment to dismantling trafficking networks,” said Prof. Erustus Kanga, Director General of KWS.
Ali’s criminal record stretches over a decade:
2014: Interpol issued a Red Notice after 228 elephant tusks were seized in Mombasa.
2016: Convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison for trafficking 2,152 kg of ivory, worth over US$4 million.
2018: Conviction overturned on procedural grounds, sparking international criticism.
2025: Re-arrested with rhino horn and arraigned at the JKIA Law Courts in Nairobi.
His associate, Mohammed Hassan Kontoma, was also detained. Intelligence reports indicate the pair were actively seeking buyers for the trophies in East Africa’s black markets. Kenya has made strides in reducing poaching, but kingpins like Ali remain a threat. According to Save the Elephants, Africa loses about 20,000 elephants every year to poaching, while rhino horn fetches up to US$60,000 per kilogram on illegal markets in Asia.
“Wildlife trafficking fuels organized crime, undermines security, and robs communities of heritage,” said Samuel Mutahi, Senior Wildlife Crime Officer at the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).
To strengthen the fight, IFAW has launched Music for Wildlife, a continent-wide campaign featuring over 150 African artists, including stars CKay and Zakes Bantwini. The concerts aim to raise awareness among Africa’s youth about the importance of conservation. “Art can succeed where politics struggles,” Mutahi explained. “We want young Africans to see elephants and rhinos as part of their identity, not commodities.” Ali’s arrest has been welcomed internationally, with Interpol and CITES officials hailing it as a turning point. Conservationists stress that successful prosecutions will be the ultimate test.
“This case is a chance for Kenya to show that wildlife crime has consequences,” said Mary Rice, Executive Director of the Environmental Investigation Agency.
As Ali awaits trial, conservationists say dismantling trafficking cartels must remain a top priority. For communities dependent on wildlife tourism, the stakes are high. Kenya earns US$1.5 billion annually from tourism, with safaris being its biggest draw. If convicted, Ali could face a lengthy prison term under Kenya’s tougher wildlife protection laws. For many, his arrest is more than a headline—it is a sign that Africa is finally closing the net on its most dangerous ivory kingpins.
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