PSCU

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta yesterday reaffirmed Kenya’s push for the closure of all ivory trade markets across the world.

She said Kenya would continue with its campaign against the reopening of markets for animal trophies, especially ivory. 

The campaign is being supported by 31 other African States grouped under the African Elephant Coalition (AEC).

Margaret spoke at the ivory burning site at the Nairobi National Park where she presided over the official launch of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) CoP18 Awareness Campaign. 

The CITES CoP18 global conference is scheduled for next month in Geneva, Switzerland.

“Today we are lobbying and petitioning for the closure of all ivory markets, and boldly advocating for the placement of all elephants onto Appendix 1 of CITES,” said the First Lady, a renown supporter of conservation work in her capacity as the patron of the “Hands Off Our Elephants” campaign.

Trade markets

“This is the message that we, as a country, as conservationists, stakeholders and as members of the African Elephant Coalition, jointly pledge ahead of the CITES CoP18 meeting,” she added.

The First Lady said every time a proposal is made to partially reopen ivory trade markets, demand for the animal trophies escalates leading to increased poaching.

She said reopening the ivory trade markets will destroy the conservation gains made over the years.

The First Lady said Kenya has put in place several mechanisms  to mitigate poaching and illegal trade in ivory including stronger aerial surveillance around conservation areas, built a robust law enforcement and deterrent measures at ports and airports.

She also commended the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife and its partners for their hard-work and commitment as custodians of Kenya’s biodiversity.