THE newly-appointed Kenya Wildlife Service director William Kiprono has vowed to end the human wildlife conflict, as well as ensure maximum security for tourists visiting the national parks.
Kiprono said human wildlife conflict has been a major challenge citing the Kitengela incident where six lions were killed by Maasai morans.
“I will work hand-in-hand with the communities, provincial administration, local leaders, politicians and other organisations that are involved in wildlife management and come up with practical and workable solutions to the conflict," said Kiprono.
The former Vihiga county commissioner issued a stern warning to poachers and to people posing as tourists who have ulterior motives of killing the animals.
“I am determined to ensure all the wildlife is safe from any danger. This is the only way to ensure the government
maximumly reaps from revenues collected the parks," said the new director.
He also said he will make sure there is proper financial book keeping and boost the morale of the workforce. “I will ensure money allocated by the government to Kenya Wildlife Serves is appropriately spent,” Kiprono said.
"I will ensure employees continuously undergo refresher courses and training to improve their effectiveness," he added. He said he is set to begin countrywide visits to all the parks with a view of getting a personal feel to the challenges and problems that face the employees.
Kiprono was last week appointed the new director by President Kibaki to replace Julius Kipng'etich, who moved to Equity Bank as the chief operating officer. Kipng’etich left KWS after eight years. The KWS board had earlier appointed Director in charge of Security Peter Leitoro the acting executive director.
