KWS ferries ivory ready for burning

Containers loaded with ivory from around Kenya will arrive at the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Headquarters on Friday.

The containers will be received by KWS Director General Kitili Mbathi for clearance, before being transported under heavy security to Nairobi National Park.

The ivory, which is being transported from Voi, Mombasa, Nanyuki and other parts of the country, will make up a significant proportion of an estimated 106 tonnes of elephant tusks to be set ablaze on April 30th, 2016.

President Uhuru Kenyatta will lead global actors in setting ablaze 120 tonnes of ivory and 1.5 tonnes of rhino horn to step up the fight against poaching.

President Kenyatta will host the inaugural Giants’ Club Summit on April 29th and 30th, bringing together several African Heads of State, Hollywood actors and global conservationists.

In a statement from State House spokesman Manoah Esipisu in March, Kenyatta said the summit will be the biggest of its kind in Africa’s history and a sign of sufficient political goodwill to collectively conserve wildlife.

“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,” read the statement in part.

“The killing of our animals affects our ecosystems, our environment and our tourism. It affects us. Realizing the deeply detrimental impact poaching has on our country, it is incumbent on us, as Kenyans, to lead the regional and global conservation efforts,” further read the statement.