KWS links poaching funds to terrorism

Kenya Wildlife Service has linked rising poaching to terrorism. Acting director William Kiprono said proceeds from poaching are used to finance terrorism and other transnational crimes. “More funds are acquired from poaching than from narcotics to fund terrorism,” he said. “Africa will lose all future economic potential of wildlife-based tourism, which stands at more than Sh120 billion in Kenya alone,” said Kiprono. His speech was read on his behalf by KWS deputy director Patrick Omondi during this year’s World Rhino Day celebrations at Central Park, Nanyuki town, on Monday.

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Kiprono said the country’s rhino population has gone down. “We will modernise security operations, systems and troops deployment,” he said. Omondi said the World Health Organisation has indicated rhino horn has no medicinal value, contrary to people’s beliefs. Laikipia East MP Anthony Mutahi urged KWS to initiate wildlife-based corporate social responsibility. Mutahi said communities engaging in rhino and other wildlife species conservation do not get any benefits for their efforts. “Once they get appreciation, they will be motivated to conserve wild animals,” said Mutahi. The MP criticised Ol Jogi Conservancy in Laikipia North, which has lost eight rhinos in a year. “We are worried by the rate at which the ranch is losing rhinos to poachers. The situation must be addressed and those responsible arrested. It must be an inside job, which must be investigated,” he said. (Source : The Star)