President Kenyatta to torch ivory, rhino horns in April

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

This comes a day after President Kenyatta visited Nairobi National Park to review plans for 29th and 30th April event, where he will host the inaugural Giants’ Club Summit, bringing together several African Heads of State, Hollywood actors and global conservationists.

The event is meant to work towards the goal of developing a more cohesive, continental response to the poaching of elephants and trade in illegal-wildlife trophies.

In a statement from State House spokesman Manoah Esipisu, Kenyatta says 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.