Conservation Heroes Remembered

Kenya Wildlife Service Rangers bow their heads in honor of departed colleagues during the annual KWS Heroes’ Day observed on the 16th of December every year. The Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Water and Natural Resources, Prof. Judi Wakhungu (Centre) was the chief guest during this year’s event at KWS headquarters.

The day is also used to celebrate the birthday of Nairobi National Park which was gazetted on the 16th December, 1946.On December 16, 1946, Nairobi National Park, the first national park to be created in Kenya was gazetted. The KWS Board of Trustees and Management have since 2005 set aside the day to commemorate the birthday of the park and to honour conservation heroes. Since a similar event last year, four new names of rangers killed in the course of active duty have been added to the roll of honour.

Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Water and Natural Resources Prof. Judi Wakhungu who presided over the solemn function  noted that while the nation celebrates strides it has made over the years, “We in the conservation sector take pride in the growth of the national pride, a heritage and a key foundation of the country’s economy through tourism. Indeed, the government recognizes the role wildlife-based tourism plays in the economy. For this reason, Kenya’s transformation blue-print, Vision 2030, has identified tourism as one of the six key sectors to deliver the 10% economic growth rate per annum envisaged under the economic pillar. It cannot be gainsaid that tourism is the second largest sector in Kenya’s economy after agriculture and accounts for 21 per cent of total foreign exchange earnings and 12 % of GDP. We are proud of KWS contribution in the embodiment of the people of Kenya development and aspiration” Prof wakhungu said.      

This years celebrations came at a time when KWS has also adopted a multi-faceted approach to eliminate the poaching vice. The organization has actively engaged communities living next to wildlife sanctuaries through conservation education on the negative impacts of poaching. Consumers of illegal wildlife products, both local and international are being sensitized on their indirect contribution to poaching by buying such products. KWS also urges the Judiciary to mete out deterrent sentences to smugglers of wildlife products.