The Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) has confirmed that a Akagera National Park in Rwanda has requested the Kenyan Government to supply it with eight lions as reported by The Standard on Monday.
However, KWS acting Director General William Kiprono said the cats have not been exported because the Government has not sanctioned the deal.
"Rwandan authorities have put a request to Kenya and the matter is still awaiting consideration," the director said in response to questions by Journalists in Voi town.
"The government will follow the law. The matter is on a government-to-government basis and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources will sit with their Rwandan counterparts to determine the way forward," Kiprono said.
He said the country currently has a total population of more than 2,000 lions.
Conservation groups have already come out to express their opposition to the proposed deal saying Rwanda has not yet addressed issues resulting in the decline of its own lion population.
Kiprono, however, reiterated that the outcome of the deliberations will not be kept a secret.
"Kenyans will be made aware of the outcome of the deliberation between Kenya and Rwanda on this issue," he said.
At the same time, the director said KWS is also deepening partnership with communities living in wildlife-inhabited areas by investing on areas of mutual Interest.
"Communities remain a key pillar in wildlife conservation and we are requesting them to protect wildlife and appreciate the role these animals play in county and national economies," he said.
He said the government and international partners will continue working together to minimise threats posed to Kenya's wildlifeand said some 575 rangers will soon graduate and will be be deployed to boost capacity.
