The State has now said it is illegal to own an unregistered African Grey Parrot.

In a gazette notice published on Thursday, December 9, the government said that those allowed to keep the birds that are only found in the Kakamega forest will have to pay Ksh12,000 as registration fees plus an additional Ksh7,000 yearly renewable fees.

“Any person, group of persons or institutions in Kenya, who are in possession of African grey parrots without permits issued by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) shall be subject to criminal prosecution,” the gazette notice read in part.

The gazette notice was signed by Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Najib Balala whose action was as a result of an expose by a local media house.

The expose revealed an illegal trade of the birds and how they are sold to various people both locally and internationally.

Balala also reminded Kenyans that the amnesty period that kicked off on October 25 ended on December, Wednesday 8.

The bird is classified as an endangered species by the International Union of Conservation and Nature. It is also ranked as the world’s most traded bird.