Last evening, President Uhuru Kenyatta visited the Nairobi National Park to review arrangements for a massive ivory burn event in April.
On
April 29 and 30, Uhuru will host the inaugural Giants’ Club Summit in Kenya, bringing together several African heads of state, numerous conservation experts, eminent corporate leaders, high-profile philanthropists and Hollywood figures to work towards the goal of developing a more cohesive, continent-wide response to the poaching of elephants and the trade in illegal-wildlife trophies.
At the event, – just 17 short of our total stockpiles; and 1.5 tonnes of rhino horn (our entire stockpile).
In bringing together such a diverse range of stakeholders, the President recognises that ending the blithe butchering of our wildlife, requires a concerted, multi-faceted, cross-sectoral and trans-national effort.
The fact that this summit will be the single, biggest summit of its
kind in Africa’s history, is an encouraging sign that there is sufficient political goodwill on the continent to enable our collective conservation efforts to succeed.
According to scientific reports, between 2010 and 2012 some 100,000 elephants were lost to poaching across Africa, and there is no evidence to suggest that number has diminished in the years since.
It is also estimated that over 1,000 rhinos were poached last year in South Africa alone.
The trade is simple. Demand for illegal products drives supply.
Therefore, the President believes to tackle the trade requires aggressive law enforcement, effective elephant ivory and rhino horn movement control and influential market dis-incentivisation.
As a nation, we are working ever harder to stop poachers and the illegal trafficking of wildlife products. Our ports are actively seeking and intercepting movement of any ivory and rhino horn.
Trafficking gangs are being tracked and arrested.
Organisations such as the Giants’ Club play a massive role in influencing global opinion and ensuring these successes can be repeated and replicated across Africa, and the globe.
By standing together, we can we make owning ivory and rhino horn an abhorrence. The weight of universal, international condemnation can crush the callous, criminal activities of a rogue but resistant few.
Poaching poses a threat to Kenya. Our wildlife, are terrorized and as a consequence, our people suffer.
Both Kenya and Africa rely, in part, on our natural resources–including our wildlife-for the economic growth and development that is a pre-requisite for peace, security and stability.
Among other things, we rely on our wildlife and environment for tourism.
To many in the world, Kenya is majestic animals on the Maasai Mara, Great Tuskers of Tsavo, the northern bush country of Samburu and Laikipia and the white sands of our Coast.
The killing of our animals affects our ecosystems, our environment and our tourism. It affects us. Realising the deeply detrimental impact poaching has on our country, it is incumbent on us, as Kenyans, to lead the regional and global conservation efforts.
During the visit, the President was also appraised by Environment Cabinet Secretary Professor Judi Wakhungu of recent challenges that have led to lions walking out of the park. She told the President her Ministry was working to resolve the problem as quickly as possible.