Kenyatta 'Appalled' by Poaching Trade

President Uhuru Kenyatta has called on security agencies and wildlife authorities in the East African region to cooperate more closely in order to stem the rise of poaching incidents. 

President Uhuru Kenyatta

Kenyatta has raised concern over increased poaching incidences in the country henceforth issuing a stern notice. “The Government will not tolerate individuals focused on killing animals to create wealth. As members of the international community, and in line with our national values, we embrace the principles of sustainable development. Our economic well-being is strongly interrelated with our natural heritage. We believe that as we pursue development today, we should ensure that we do not compromise our future potential for development,” said Uhuru during his State of the Nation address.

Environment Cabinet Secretary Prof Judy Wakhungu has said her Ministry is investigating recent claims of a possible collusion between Kenya Wildlife Service ( KWS) rangers and poachers. Ms Wakhungu further said the Government will not declare poaching, mainly of elephants and rhinos as national disaster as some conservationists have demanded saying KWS is equal to the task of containing the vice. 

Prof Judy Wakhungu

Speaking during the Cabinet briefing, the Cabinet Secretary said although most of the wildlife handlers in the game parks were doing their best to contain the spiraling cases of poaching, some warders and rangers could be abetting the crime. She revealed that since 2009, 17 officers had been sacked for colluding with poachers, warning that they are also following some intelligence information on possible involvement of more rangers in the crime.

 “Since I came to office, we have interdicted 32 other officers, while others are suspended as we undertake investigations on collusion with poachers. We have solid information, which we are closely following in the fight against possible involvement of KWS rangers in this worrying vice,” she said. 

Ms Wakhungu has also expressed concern over rising cases of poaching in the country which now threatens tourism. “It’s unfortunate we lost a 3-year-old female white rhino at the park. This rhino was shot at 11pm on Thursday evening. Rangers responded and fought back the poachers before they could chop off the rhino horn,” she was speaking at Lake Nakuru National Park where poachers recently shot and killed a female rhino. 

Prof Wakhungu was accompanied by acting KWS director William Kiprono and other senior officers had visited the park moments after the outrageous incident. 

In the meantime, the Kenya Government and the United Nations have signed a development assistance framework that will see the UN mobilising KSh 102 billion for implementation of development programmes in the country over a four-year period. The President said decisions on pressing environmental challenges and opportunities will be made. “For reasons that should be evident, we await the High Level Dialogue on Illegal Wildlife Trade with the keenest interest.”