Economy

Govt offers three-week amnesty for ivory, rhino horn trophies

kws

Anybody holding any ivory, rhino horn or any other wildlife trophies, jewellery or trinkets made from the animal parts should surrender them to KWS headquarters in Nairobi. PHOTO | FILE

The government has issued a 21-day amnesty for Kenyans to surrender any wildlife trophies they hold without a Kenya Wildlife Service permit.

The offer was issued as the government seeks a total global ban on ivory and rhino horn. Those who fail to surrender the trophies will face the law.

“In the spirit of the upcoming ivory and rhino horn burning, I would like to offer a 21-day amnesty for the surrender of any wildlife trophies, which are held without a permit issued by the Kenya Wildlife Service,” Cabinet Secretary for Environment Judi Wakhungu said on Wednesday.

She was speaking at Nairobi National Park as she inspected the venue for the planned April 30 burning of elephant ivory and rhino horn.

According to Prof Wakhungu, anybody holding any ivory, rhino horn or any other wildlife trophies, jewellery or trinkets made from the animal parts should surrender them to the KWS director-general at KWS headquarters in Nairobi.

Alternatively, they can surrender the trophies to KWS assistant directors at regional offices in Mombasa, Voi, Nyeri, Marsabit, Kitale, Nakuru and Meru National Park.

She added: “Those who take advantage of this amnesty will not be punished.”

The amnesty is effective from Wednesday.

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