Kenya issues 21-day amnesty for illegal ivory surrender [News Bulletin]
- 5 years ago
The government has issued a 21-day amnesty for the surrender of ivory and any wildlife trophies held without a permit issued by the Kenya Wildlife Service.
Environment Cabinet Secretary Judi Wakhungu says those who do so within the given time frame will not be prosecuted.
Wakhungu says the amnesty is part of preparations for the torching of the largest ivory stockpile in the world set for April 30, 2016 in Nairobi.
The minister, who spoke at a news conference to update Kenyans on preparations of the event, says 105 tonnes of ivory and 1.3 tonnes of rhino horns will be set ablaze by President Uhuru Kenyatta, in the presence of at least 10 heads of state and international celebrities including Hollywood stars.
“The president looks forward to hosting his peers and other dignitaries from all over the world to express their solidarity with Kenya’s conservation efforts,” Wakhungu stated.
She also highlighted that poaching of elephants and rhinos and illegal wildlife trade is a major problem across much of Africa threatening the very survival of iconic species.
“Poaching fuels corruption, insecurity as well as harming the sustainable economic development of local communities but also national economies,” cited Wakhungu.
Environment Cabinet Secretary Judi Wakhungu says those who do so within the given time frame will not be prosecuted.
Wakhungu says the amnesty is part of preparations for the torching of the largest ivory stockpile in the world set for April 30, 2016 in Nairobi.
The minister, who spoke at a news conference to update Kenyans on preparations of the event, says 105 tonnes of ivory and 1.3 tonnes of rhino horns will be set ablaze by President Uhuru Kenyatta, in the presence of at least 10 heads of state and international celebrities including Hollywood stars.
“The president looks forward to hosting his peers and other dignitaries from all over the world to express their solidarity with Kenya’s conservation efforts,” Wakhungu stated.
She also highlighted that poaching of elephants and rhinos and illegal wildlife trade is a major problem across much of Africa threatening the very survival of iconic species.
“Poaching fuels corruption, insecurity as well as harming the sustainable economic development of local communities but also national economies,” cited Wakhungu.