China pledges wildlife grant to Kenya

Chinese Ambassador Liu Guangyuan and Cabinet Secretary for Environment Water and Natural Resources Judi Wakhungu at the ministry’s offices in Nairobi. [PHOTO: STANDARD]

By STANDARD REPORTER

KENYA: Kenya and China will strengthen co-operation in wildlife conservation.

The agreement was made at a meeting between Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Liu Guangyuan and Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Water and Natural Resources Judi Wakhungu.

Prof Wakhungu applauded China for her contribution to Kenya’s social and economic development, especially in infrastructure and tourism.

She said wildlife is mankind’s shared resource and its conservation calls for common responsibility among world nations.

Expressing Kenya’s wish to join hands with other nations in combating illegal ivory and rhino horn trade, Wakhungu praised China for its consistent measures and actions towards enforcing the law in wildlife conservation.

Mr Liu said China attaches great importance to wildlife conservation and its related laws and regulations are some of the most stringent among all the nations. He said smugglers and traders of illegal ivory and products of other endangered species are sentenced to life imprisonment.

The ambassador said poachers and smugglers targeting elephants, rhinos and other wild animals are enemies of mankind. He urged Kenya to strengthen measures in wildlife conservation and punish criminals severely.

Financial support

Mr Liu further disclosed that China-Kenya co-operation is set on all-round pillars, one of which is wildlife conservation. China will provide a grant to Kenya, specifically for wildlife conservation to be used to safeguard elephants, rhinos and other endangered wildlife.

He urged the international community to strengthen co-operation in wildlife conservation and provide Kenya with necessary financial support.

Both countries agreed to keep communication avenues open to improve the infrastructure in national parks and reserves and the working and living conditions of rangers.

Kenya Wildlife Services Deputy Director Corporate Services Tom Sipul also attended the meeting.