Accusations but not drones fly in Kenya Let me begin by saying that the KWS stands head and shoulders above all African wildlife departments. That might seem like an accolade, but it is not difficult to stand above dwarves. But the KWS does seem receptive to change, recently suggested by the Ministry and many Kenya citizens. The KWS suffers from a lack of trust that needs to be restored as the KWS has been identified as the custodian of Kenya’s wildlife and national wildlife heritage resources. I am distressed that so many are using the KWS as a whipping boy to promote their own agendas. I am also distressed that the KWS says they have so much information about NGOs and individuals involved in poaching without action. I am further distressed that the KWS has not taken available action against those in their own ranks implicated in poaching except to place them on leave. To benefit the conservation of wildlife in Kenya we need great transparency. Both from the various NGOs needing to declare how their funds are spent versus effective conservation activities - and the KWS telling Kenya citizens how they are dealing with the corrupt rangers and senior officials. And the KWS telling Kenya citizens how they are dealing with the fact that Kenya is the major exporter of illegal ivory in the world. And the KWS telling Kenya citizens how they plan to integrate communities into their benefit programs as the KWS has already admitted for years that up to 80% of Kenya’s wildlife seasonally occurs outside nationally protected areas. And the private ranches investigated as to how, with all those security measures, rhinos are still being poached. So much to do, so much information needed. Kenya can become a shining example of wildlife conservation in Africa. But only if many changes are actually implemented. And bless all you Kenya citizens who are calling for transparency and change.
Posted on: Thu, 09 Oct 2014 13:12:05 +0000
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