Name poaching lords, MPs tell spy agency
What you need to know:
- The lawmakers, who spoke to the media in Nairobi on Sunday, said the National Intelligence Service should reveal names of barons behind poaching if the government was committed to arresting the situation.
- Ms Abdalla, Emuhaya MP Wilbur Ottichilo and Kwale Woman Representative Zainabu Chidzuga called for the speedy implementation of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, saying it has noble provisions that can address human-wildlife conflict, which has also contributed to poaching.
The spy agency has been asked to name people behind the illegal trade in wildlife trophies, which is blamed for the rise in poaching.
Some MPs, mainly from the National Assembly’s environment committee that is led by Ms Amina Abdalla, said going for people who kill wild animals on behalf of their masters would not eradicate the vice.
“Those who control sales of the wild animal products have continued to enjoy freedom yet they are the ones who recruit more poachers to replace those who have been arrested or killed,” Rangwe MP George Oner said.
The lawmakers, who spoke to the media in Nairobi on Sunday, said the National Intelligence Service should reveal names of barons behind poaching if the government was committed to arresting the situation.
“Let’s unmask those behind the trade in wildlife trophies. There is a huge demand for ivory in China and soon tourists will have nothing to see if elephants and rhinos continue being eliminated,” said Mr Oner.
CRITICISED GOVERNMENT
Ms Abdalla, Emuhaya MP Wilbur Ottichilo and Kwale Woman Representative Zainabu Chidzuga called for the speedy implementation of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, saying it has noble provisions that can address human-wildlife conflict, which has also contributed to poaching.
The MPs criticised the government for taking long to constitute county wildlife conservation and compensation committees in the 47 devolved units to fast track resolution of disputes.
When contacted, Environment Principal Secretary Richard Lesiyampe said they were filling positions of chairpersons of the committees.
He said they would recruit 500 rangers from communities living near wildlife habitats this financial year.
“The initiative will go a long way in identifying those who harm the animals, besides reducing human-wildlife conflicts,” said Dr Lesiyampe.
Some 103 elephants and 22 rhinos were killed by poachers between January and June. During the same period last year, 165 elephants and 26 rhinos were killed.
