Obama message to be read at wildlife protection talks
US President Barack Obama speaks during Democratic National Committee event at the Austin Music Hall on March 11, 2016 in Austin, Texas. While in Kenya last year, President Obama announced a Sh80 million kitty to protect wildlife in East Africa, including a three-year wildlife poaching and trafficking assessment programme in Kenya. PHOTO | AFP
What you need to know:
- While in Kenya last year, President Obama announced a Sh80 million kitty to protect wildlife in East Africa, including a three-year wildlife poaching and trafficking assessment programme in Kenya.
US President Barack Obama will send a message in support of wildlife protection to African leaders, scientists and philanthropists who will gather in Laikipia County at the end of this week.
The statement will be delivered on his behalf by Deputy Secretary of State Heather Higginbottom during the three-day conference — Thursday, April 28 to Saturday ,April 30 — hosted by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The other US delegation expected will be the Chief of the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement William C. Woody.
Expected to be in attendance at the Giant Club Summit will also be Presidents Ali Bongo of Gabon and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Idriss Déby of Chad as well as representatives of President Ian Khama of Botswana and President John Magufuli of Tanzania.
President Obama’s statement will be shared in the afternoon session chaired by the head of the United Nations Development Programme, Ms Helen Clark.
While in Kenya last year, President Obama announced a Sh80 million kitty to protect wildlife in East Africa, including a three-year wildlife poaching and trafficking assessment programme in Kenya.
He also announced a rule that will prohibit most inter-state commerce of African elephant ivory and beef up restrictions on commercial exports.
Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Natural Resources Judi Wakhungu said: “This is not another talking shop. This is an extraordinary opportunity for us to show the world that we know how to stop poaching.”
