The Siege on our Jumbos must end

In 1979, Kenya had about 167,000 elephants. In 2016, the population is estimated at about 38,000.

Satao, one of the world’s most iconic and oldest elephants was butchered by poachers inside Tsavo East National Park, on May 30, 2014. A poisoned arrow ended his life as poachers chased his majestic tusks.

Many more elephants have been killed as rampant poaching has become the constant shadow of death stalking them.

On April 30, 2016, President Uhuru Kenyatta will lead the nation in burning 105 tons of illegal ivory, about one ton of rhino horns.

This will be the biggest haul to be burnt in Kenya.  Former president Daniel Moi set ablaze 12 tons of ivory on July 12, 1989.

The events are a testament to the nation’s political resolve to say no to the illegal trade that is threatening the existence of elephants across the world.

According to The Atlantic, United States of America burnt six tons in 2013, China destroyed six tons in 2014 and Hong Kong set out to destroy 28 tons from 2014.

In Africa, Gabon, Mozambique and Ethiopia have followed suit. Sadly, about 100 elephants are killed across Africa daily. Kenya is part of this vicious cycle.

This is more than the number of elephants born each day. Their ivory has turned to be their biggest enemies as poachers viciously hunt them.

The battle is tough as poachers, armed with guns and poisoned arrows stalk our elephants in the bushes of Tsavo national Park and other homes.

According to Kenya Wildlife Service, the nation lost 302 elephants in 2013. This is a grim reality that faces the remaining 38,000 elephants across the country. In 2014, 137 elephants and 24 rhinoceros were lost to poachers.

As Uhuru leads the nation in setting ablaze illegal ivory, rhino horns, skin and hides, efforts to slay poaching must be stepped up.As a nation, we must ask questions beyond the burning of these tons.

The poachers must be nailed, the big boys who traffic these trophies must be nipped and global markets like China, Vietnam and other countries in the Far East must be place on alert.

The loss of elephants spells doom to our tourism which is still chocking since 2014. It is a threat to environmental conservation too.

The priceless efforts and campaigns of conservationists like Dr. Paula Kahumbu must be supported fully by the government.

Corruption and unduepolitical influence should be discouraged. The poachers are our brothers. They live within us and we know their faces.

We choose to hide them and pretend to shed tears when our lovely jumbos are killed. Numerous seizures across different entry and exit points have been made in Kenya.

Is it possible that the faces behind the trafficking are not known? Have punitive measures been instituted against them? We laud Uhuru for tomorrow’s event.

 It is aloud declaration by the government on the political resolve to fight poaching. Beyond the fire, a lot needs to be done to secure our 38,000 elephants that stare at extinction in the face.

 Each day must be devoted to combatting poachers and their moneyed financiers. The government should come clean on the war and unmask the known faces in the trade.

Corruption must be fought too. Undue political interference must be stopped. Punitive measures, deterrent enough must be adopted in legislation and government policies.

The Wildlife Conservation and Management Act of 2013 must be enforced with full force. If well used, it is punitive enough to deter the culprits involved in the decimation of our jumbos.

 In the future, if Kenya burns similar hauls of illegal ivory, rhino horns and other products, then it will be a harsh indictment on our failure to fight poaching.

We must act and save our elephants. We owe it to these great and intelligent creatures!