The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has increased pay for its rangers in a move aimed at boosting morale in the fight against poaching, Kenya’s Daily Nation reported Sunday (April 27th).
Rangers protecting elephant and rhino sanctuaries will be paid 500 shillings ($6) daily and those guarding other wildlife protection zones will receive 200 shillings ($2) daily, said KWS Director William Kiprono.
To show the government’s commitment to protecting wildlife, KWS has purchased patrol vehicles and night goggles for rangers’ use, and plans to employ 600 rangers to boost the patrol teams’ ability to protect large land areas, Kiprono said.
He ordered rangers to arrest and disarm poachers and allow them due process of law, reversing a shoot-to-kill order issued by his predecessor Julius Kipngetich.
Meanwhile last week, poachers killed six elephants at Dawida ranch in Taita Taveta.
“Six elephants have been confirmed poached and two, female adults, tusks chopped off. Four others were all tuskless juvenile,” KWS said in a statement, adding that rangers were hunting for those responsible. “All carcasses had gunshot wounds.”