MPs seek to bolster anti-poaching laws
Emuhaya MP Dr Wilbur Ottichilo (left) with Chairperson of the National Assembly Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Amina Abdalla during a past consultative forum on May 9, 2014. Ms Abdalla wants the Kenya Wildlife Service management restructured so that it can actively engage with officers and rangers on the ground. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- In a report, the committee on Environment and Natural Resources also wants the Kenya Wildlife Service management restructured so that it can actively engage with officers and rangers on the ground.
- However, the team praised the KWS for enhancing the fight against poaching, with the MPs citing statistics that show a drop in the number of incidents, an increase in the number of prosecutions and progress in implementing the new Act.
MPs have recommended changes to 11 laws to reinforce the war against poaching.
In a report, the committee on Environment and Natural Resources also wants the Kenya Wildlife Service management restructured so that it can actively engage with officers and rangers on the ground.
Committee Chairman Amina Abdalla (Nominated, TNA), tabled the report in the National Assembly after a year-long investigation.
Although it does not expressly say it, the committee appears to agree with the ministry that there is no need to declare poaching a national disaster.
It, however, states: “The threat posed by commercial poaching and bush meat poaching requires immediate attention… (and) the current ability of KWS to deal with this poaching is significantly wanting.”
The team concluded from its meetings with stakeholders that KWS is in serious need of reforms.
“The organisation structure is wider at the top, taking up most of the resources on personnel emoluments of senior officers based at the headquarters (and) leaving little for the motivation of the field officers,” they said.
KWS'S IMPEDIMENTS
This has led to the decline of functions such as intelligence gathering and the ability to respond to functions such as the control of animals.
“In addition to the work environment in regard to work ethics, in-fighting, remuneration, welfare, promotions, transfers and training are seriously hindering KWS in carrying out its mission and have led to a serious decline in the quality of services in the last five years,” they said.
However, the team praised the KWS for enhancing the fight against poaching, with the MPs citing statistics that show a drop in the number of incidents, an increase in the number of prosecutions and progress in implementing the new Act.
The government initiated changes by having renowned conservationist Richard Leakey back at the helm of the board.
However, recruitment of a director-general was hit by controversy after the board re-advertised the position even after interviewing candidates.
