KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICE HONOURS FALLEN HEROS
(For all visitors to the Nairobi National Park and the Nairobi Safari Walk to see at the new monument dedicated to the fallen heroes of KWS)
Kenyas Chief Justice Dr. Willy Mutunga has last week formally opened the memorial site erected at the KWS head quarters at the entrance of the Nairobi National Park, where all the names of those who gave their lives in defense of conservation and anti poaching operations are now publicly shown. The move by KWS was widely hailed as a major step towards not just recognizing their own departed colleagues but has been perceived as a gauntlet thrown to the poachers, that the organization will do whatever necessary to continue the good fight.
While speaking at the event Dr. Mutunga also reiterated the need to strengthen wildlife enforcement laws and regulations, something which has been pending for too long before the Kenyan parliament, and when that law is finally passed with stiffer sentences and crippling fines, the new Kenyan judiciary, which is now emerging under the new constitution, will under his leadership undoubtedly slap poachers, traders and smugglers with the full range of sentencing options then available to magistrates and judges.
The event was celebrated with a ranger parade and march past in front of hundreds of conservationists, KWS staff and onlookers.
(Honouring their fallen comrades, KWS ranger troops)
