Kenya hails Chinese aid to curb poaching

A Kenyan official on Monday hailed Chinese support towards enhancing the fight against the poaching menace.

Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Water and Natural Resources Judi Wakhungu told a Sino-Africa forum in Nairobi that for the first time this year, the Chinese government sent enforcement staff to Kenya to arrest ivory trafficking suspects.

"The Kenya government has also completed talks on the provision of wildlife protection equipment by the Chinese government," Wakhungu said during the opening ceremony of a workshop on the preparation of the upcoming Forum for China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

The workshop was aimed at creating awareness on major environmental issues that are likely to arise during the forum.

The two-day event will provide unique opportunities for jointly reviewing the challenges facing economic globalization as well as promote the common development for Africa and China in regard to environmental matters.

Wakhungu noted that China and Kenya collaborated in operation Cobra 11 against International Wildlife Crime, which was a boost in addressing illegal wildlife trade.

"The operation led to the arrest of members of a crime syndicate involved in the illegal wildlife product trade," she said.

The official also noted that as part of plans to eliminate poaching, China has also agreed to host lectures on wildlife protection.