Kenya pushes for life imprisonment of poachers

Kenya is pushing for life imprisonment for poachers of elephants and rhinos as a deterrent measure to protect the two endangered species, an official said.

William Kiprono, director of the Kenya Wildlife Services Monday said the killing of wildlife, especially elephants and rhinos in the country, was alarming and required stiff penalties to the perpetrators, Xinhua reported.

Kiprono said the killing of the two endangered species for their valued tusks is an economic sabotage and punitive measures have to be meted out to the criminals involved in the vice.

"The only way to protect these endangered species is to send poachers to complete the remaining years of their life in prison. This will deter others from engaging in poaching," said Kiprono.

Kenya is enacting a bill that will allow poachers to be fined between $120,000 and $200,000.

"The pending bill will allow a poacher to be fined up to $200,000... but it is not a stiff punishment for economic saboteurs such as poachers. We are pushing for a life imprisonment," said Kiprono.

Kiprono also urged the security agencies near the parks to seal all loopholes used by poachers to gain access to wildlife.