Date Published:
Kenya Wildlife Service has attributed Kenya’s removal from the list of countries heavily implicated in global illegal ivory trade to the Judiciary’s swift hearings and conclusion of cases presented before courts of law.
Speaking during the quarterly sensitisation forum of Court Users Committee (CUC) session, held in Nairobi, acting KWS Head of Investigations, Mr. Joseph Sarara, acknowledged the efforts by judicial officers when hearing wildlife-related cases.
Court Users Committee JKIA jurisdiction comprises Courts, Office of Director of Public Prosecutions, KWS, Airport Police Unit, Anti-counterfeit Unit, Prisons, Probation, and Port Health Services, among others.
The forum is conducted across all jurisdictions in the country. KWS operates in all entry and exit points along Kenyan borders, and thus it’s a key member of the CUC forum. “All wildlife related cases taken through judicial process bore positive feedback, 98 per cent went beyond conviction stage, this is immensely commendable,” Mr Sarara noted.
In 2018, global wildlife treaty regulator, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) removed Kenya from list of countries identified as being of international concern over their role in illegal ivory trade - the eight most significant countries known for being key sources, transit and destination of illegal ivory.
Earlier at the 70th meeting of the United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Standing Committee in Sochi, Russian Federation, Parties to the Standing Committee approved Kenya to be removed from the requirements to implement and report progress in implementation of a National Ivory Action Plan (NIAP) as well as the National Ivory Action Plan Process
Kenya was one of the Parties that had successfully participated in the NIAP process since May 2013 and substantially achieved its requirements.
Although still citing challenges in the manner some cases are handled, JKIA’s Chief Magistrate, Hon. Lucas Onyina (Chairperson CUC), praised the cooperation among respective members of the CUC.
“I am privy to the concerted efforts that members put, during case trials when brought to us,” said Hon. Onyina.
Many foreign citizens have been convicted of being in possession of wildlife products at the JKIA. The challenge comes at the time of discharging justice, as laws of their respective countries often contradict the Kenyan wildlife rules, thus posing difficulties in combating crimes relating to wildlife trade.
Language barrier and interpretation is also cited as a big setback when it comes to clarification of wildlife permits, thus necessitating sensitization campaign to acquaint members of the public with right information.
On December 10, 2019, CUC will hold an Open Day and officially launch its inception focusing on Sustainable Judicial Transformation, graced by Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Noordin Haji.
