Giraffes in Kenya

Landowners in Naivasha are protesting the translocation of Giraffes to Mombasa by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).

The land owners have accused KWS of failing to follow the laid down procedures. The community argues that it was not consulted in the process despite protecting the animals for years.

“In the past, we have worked with KWS in translocation of different species of animals, and we are wondering why the secrecy in this exercise,” said one of the ranchers.

The ranchers also claim that the giraffes were being ferried to a private sanctuary owned by a senior government officer.

They also expressed concerns over the distance between Naivasha and Mombasa.

Friends of Lake Naivasha chairman Francis Muthui noted that there were tens of giraffes in Amboseli and Tsavo National Parks closer to Mombasa.

“The translocation of these giraffes is being undertaken in secrecy, and there are more questions than answers over this illegal exercise,” he said.

“Over 80 percent of wild animals in Naivasha are outside parks, and it’s the land owners who use their sanctuaries to feed, water and protect them from the rising number of poachers,” he said.

KWS has confirmed the translocation of giraffes to the Coast and admitted that there was a communication breakdown during the exercise.

“There was a communication breakdown during the start of the exercise, but this has since been addressed, and the translocation is going on smoothly,” KWS Assistant Director Joseph Dadacha said.