Prince William backs conservation efforts on Kenya trip

Britain's Prince William pledged support Thursday for Kenya's efforts to stem poaching in the east African nation, as he visited President Uhuru Kenyatta ahead of the world's biggest burning of ivory.

In April, Kenya is set to torch the vast majority of its ivory and rhino horn stockpile — 120 tonnes of ivory, eight times the size of any ivory stockpile destroyed so far, as well as 1.5 tonnes of rhino horn.

The highly publicised display will be led by Kenyatta and attended by a gaggle of celebrities, conservationists and heads of state.

"We are determined to conserve our wildlife for posterity and welcome all the support we can get in this endeavour," Kenyatta said after meeting William in Nairobi.

Kenyatta added that the destruction of the ivory and rhino horn will "send a strong message that trade in illegal wildlife trophies is not tolerated," a presidential statement added.

"If there is anything I can do to raise the profile in your efforts to conserve wildlife, I will do it," William said, according to the statement.

William, the second-in-line to the throne, has repeatedly condemned illegal wildlife trafficking and has encouraged anti-poaching efforts, including by being patron of the conservation charity Tusk Trust.

He is in Kenya to attend the wedding of his former girlfriend Jecca Craig, the daughter of Kenyan conservationist Ian Craig.

More than 30,000 elephants are killed for their ivory every year in Africa to satisfy demand in Asia where raw tusks sell for around $1,100 (Sh 113,569) a kilogramme (2.2 pounds).