By Philip Mwakio
A global conservation body has warned that Kenya is now a leading transit route for illegal ivory trade.
The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) further revealed that the country is the source of ivory seized in the Far East.
Kenya is on the spot for lax controls of over renewed global increase in ivory deals.
In its latest report, IFAW says there is an upsurge in elephant poaching following the recent seizure of ivory in Thailand that was traced back to Kenya and Angola.
Smuggling route
The country that has seen widespread poaching especially in the world famous Tsavo National Park is now accused of backing the smuggling of ivory, according to IFAW.
“Incidences of elephant poaching are on the rise in Kenya and it is now emerging that the country is not only a source of illegal ivory, but has also become one of the smuggling routes of choice for traffickers,” said IFAW Eastern Africa Regional Director James Isiche.
IFAW reports that in a span of days, more than half a tonne of ivory had been seized by customs officials in two Asian countries.
Ivory seizure
Last Friday, Thai customs officers discovered 456kg of ivory that had been hidden in crates aboard a flight from Kenya.
According to media reports, two Vietnamese passengers who were in possession of 137 kilograms of ivory were arrested early last week.
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