By Anthony Gitonga
Most illegal ivory from Kenya heads to China, placing elephants and rhinos at risk, Kenya Wildlife Service ( KWS) has said.
Some 90 per cent of the illegal ivory is exported to China, which offers a lucrative market.
KWS Director Julius Kipngâetich expressed concern over a sharp increase in illegal game trophy trade.
"We are concerned by an upsurge in poaching, especially of elephants in our national parks," he said.
Dr Kipngâetich said majority of ivory impounded at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport was destined for the Far East and mainly China.
"The Chinese Government has put notices in their airports that it is illegal to deal with ivory in Kenya," he said.
Powerful weapons
He said KWS had increased its firepower to deal with poachers who are usually armed with powerful weapons, including AK47 rifles.
He was speaking in Naivasha during the re-branding of Hells Gate and Mt Longonot national parks on Friday.
He also expressed concern over the drought, which had killed many wild animals with hundreds facing starvation.
"We have been forced to feed and deliver water to wild animals, something which has never happened in our history," he said.
