How travel ruined my Life: Haba haba hujaza kibaba- A common Wananchi contribution to the fight against poaching

After seeing several reports in the media on the massacre of our elephants and rhinos a friend once asked me what can he do to help reduce if not totally stop this genocide on our heritage. Being that he is a simple Kenyan Man of average means with no military training but just proudly Kenya with great love for our country and wildlife. Me the overzealous lover of our wildlife and a stronger believer of always finding hope even where there seems to be no way I promised to write on what any common Kenyan can do and contribute in the fight against poaching and illegal trade on wildlife trophies. Here is a list I prepared it may not be exhaustive so feel free to add anything you thing is important!!!!

11. Financially support KWS and any other organization that are actively involved in anti-poaching. By actively I mean those organizations that are action oriented and are directly involved at the points of need in fighting poaching, illegal trade and enforcement of laws against poaching. Most organizations I know accept all sorts of donations no amount is too low I think so for KWS and here is their link for more information on how you can donate and support their anti-poaching activities.

22. Moral support!! I found this to be particularly useful and important for our Rangers and Community scouts working in direct line of fire. First I have to mention there are many patriotic, dedicated hard working wildlife foot soldiers in Kenya. Kenyan men and women working around the clock in the most hardest of situations sometimes paying with their dear lives defending our wildlife. If there is a way you can make it any easier for them (small or big J) please do so. Contact the Park Wardens, area wardens in different parts of the country near you and you will be happily surprised how simple care packages to our rangers can make a big difference in encouraging and boosting their resolve and determination!! Care package can be anything you would need to make your life a little easier to fight poachers if you were a ranger For me it would be anything from coffee or field coffee mugs for those late night patrols to letters encouraging and thanking them for their sacrifice!!

Community scouts of Lekuruki Conservancy with me and a collegue

33. Sharing information to the right authority on anything suspicious. I strongly believe in citizen empowerment and Us Kenyan being the determinants of our own future!! If you see any illegal activities please be careful and report it to KWS office or the police or any other organization working in your area. Its time for all of us to say enough is enough… elephants are not to go extinct on our watch!!!!! I believe the recent Ivory seized by KWS and the police was a result of cooperation between Patriotic Kenyan citizens and our enforcement authority. KWS contact details are 24hrs KWS HQ hotlines: +254 (0)728 331 981, (0)736 506 052 and (0)770 296 352

44. Do not buy or sell or HANDLE any wildlife trophy its against the law!!!! More so do not buy or sell IVORY OR RHINO HORN. No matter the market outside of Kenya imagine what would happen if no Kenyan would be involved in killing of an elephant or rhino, handling of ivory or rhino horn? Dear Kenyan who might be reading this……. do not be the one involved in this shameful trade!! Whatever small part of the link it maybe!! Are you the one who spy on the park rangers? Are you the one who hides the weapons for the poachers? Do you own a motorbike that is used to transport ivory in sacks from one point to another? Is your house used as storage for illegal ivory? Is your Pub or bar an exchange point for Ivory? any small link enabling the trade is actually assisting and pulling the trigger against an elephant or rhino!!!!

55. Visit a National park, a National reserve, community conservancy or a private conservancy. Make wildlife economically viable alive!!!! Every time you pay park conservation fee know you are contributing directly and supporting non-consumptive wildlife management!! Shoot a photo not a bullet!! Let us make elephants and rhinos more valuable alive than when dead.

6 6. Take a proactive approach! Create awareness; spread the word of what everyone can do to help stop the massacre. Used whatever is available to you! First your mouth let your neighbors know! Social media families’ friends create a network of people who can do the simple things listed above!!! After all Haba haba hujaza kibaba.