Kenya, Tanzania in joint bid to end runaway vice

By KIPCHUMBA KEMEI

Kenya: Kenya and Tanzania have resolved to work together to end the runaway poaching in their national parks and game reserves.

The two East African countries pledged to work together in apprehending poachers who disappear from one country to another to avoid being arrested.

“We have decided to secure the international borders against poachers who cross the borders in Maasai Mara/Serengeti, Amboseli/Kilimanjaro and Tsavo/Nkomazi to kill wild animals for ivory and game meat,” said Narok County Commissioner Kassim Farah.

Speaking at the weekend during the close of a three-day Cross-Border Wildlife Security meeting between the two countries at Keekorok Lodge in Mara, Farah said most wildlife habitats straddle the two countries, adding that viable resolutions had been made regarding security of wildlife which is a highly treasured natural resource.

Farah said wildlife security challenges were enormous and asked security agencies in the two countries which share the same ecosystem to share information on poachers operating in the national parks and reserves located along the Kenya-Tanzania border who flee from one country to the other to avoid being arrested. “The agencies should share information on illegal trophy dealers who operate along the international border,” he said.

The meeting was attended by senior wildlife officers from wildlife authorities in the two countries, among them Wildlife Division of Tanzania, Tanzania National Parks, Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority, Kenya Wildlife Service and Masai Mara National Reserve.

Farah however observed that despite the challenges, Kenya has managed to arrest poachers and wild trophies recovered in the last six months.

The meeting resolved to mobilise local communities to support security teams and called for the need to erect road blocks and random checks on vehicles leaving national parks and reserves.