Poachers to face Sh2m slap in new law

By Antony Gitonga

Poachers will now face a hefty fine of Sh2m up from Sh50,000 or one year in prison if the Wildlife Act that is before Cabinet is enacted by Parliament.

While expressing his concern over an increase in poaching, Forestry and Wildlife Minister Noah Wekesa termed the current laws as "very lenient"

Wekesa said the draft would be ready in two months for debate in Parliament and the issue of poaching would be a thing of the past.

Forestry and Wildlife Minister Noah Wekesa[PHOTO:FILE/STANDARD]

He attributed the increase in poaching to the high prices of ivory in the Asian market while admitting the current laws were archaic.

"We have seen an increase in poaching and though our officers are dealing with the problem, it’s time we introduced stringent measures,"he added.

The Minister was speaking during the graduation ceremony at KWS Training Institute in Naivasha.

During the colorful ceremony, the Minister said the issue of climate change was a reality and pointed to ongoing floods in parts of the country.

"It is time we addressed the issue of climate change in the country which is been seen through drought and flooding in parts of the country,"he added.