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A Chinese national and a Kenyan appeared in a court in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, on Tuesday for attempting to smuggle ants to China.
The Chinese national, Zhang Kequn, was arrested last week at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport with more than 2,200 ants, including 1,948 of the sought-after Messor cephalotes species, in his luggage, while the Kenyan national Charles Mwangi, who was arrested on March 13, was accused of selling him 1,300 ants for 100 Kenyan shillings ($0.77) each.
Defence lawyer David Lusweti Namai told AFP that the ants, which are considered aphrodisiacs, delicacies and pets, are particularly prized and can fetch around $100 each abroad.
The Kenyan national is also accused of selling ants to three people who were convicted for the same crime in 2025.
That case involved two Belgian teenagers who were arrested for possessing nearly 5,000 ants, mostly stored in test tubes. They were fined roughly $7,700.
Kequn and Mwangi, who pleaded not guilty, are being prosecuted for wildlife trafficking without a permit and conspiracy. Their lawyer said they face up to seven years in prison.
The duo are expected to appear in court again on March 27 for a further hearing.
