President Mwai Kibaki has been told to announce poaching in Kenya a national disaster as the government takes necessary action to curb the act.
Africa Network For Animal Welfare Chief Executive Officer Josphat Ngonyo said poaching in the country has continued to reduce number of wild animals which are a major tourist attraction.
He said in 2011 alone, 289 elephants were killed and 19 rhinos while in 2012, 360 elephants and 29 were also killed a number which he said increase every year.
The officer president Mwai Kibaki should lias with his Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese counterparts which are said to be large markets for ivory and rhino and see how to end the problem.
"If he can talk to presidents of those nations and agree on ending poaching we are very sure the menace will be a story to tell in our country," he added.
Addressing locals and schools' wildlife club members at Watamu at a public beach after a walk dubbed "Kenyans against poaching", Ngonyo said poaching was becoming a big problem in the country and should be solved once and for all.
Ngonyo added that the country's economy depends on tourists who jet in to explore the region to see variety of wild animals and so they should be protected by all means.
He observed that vision 2030 may not be achieved if the problem is not brought to an end by the government through its security organs mandated to do so in collaboration with Kenyans themselves.
"If these animals are all killed, those tourist who come here to see them will not come and that mean we will not be adding anything into our economy. Poaching is not only done for business but also for food; we want every type of poaching ended," he noted.
Ngonyo challenged presidential candidates to explain to Kenyans how they will end the problem immediately if they are elected during the general election.
The officer also pointed pout that Wildlife act should be enacted as quickly as possible so that those found poaching can be heavily punished and also make sure that revenue from tourists visiting parks benefit locals themselves.
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