By Cynthia Kenyani
Margaret Kenyatta is committed to protecting and conserving
pangolins through the Pangolin Project.
The First Lady has assured me of her commitment to supporting efforts
geared towards conserving and protecting pangolins, which are some of the most
endangered animals in the world today.
Kenya’s First Lady Margaret Kenyatta
during a meeting with a team dedicated to the protection and
conservation of pangolins through an initiative dubbed ‘Pangolin Project’ which
paid her a courtesy call at State House, Nairobi.
She emphasized that her support for conservation efforts will not stop
at the protection of pangolins but will extend to all wildlife.
The First Lady spoke when she met a team dedicated to the protection and
conservation of pangolins through an initiative dubbed ‘Pangolin Project’ which
paid her a courtesy call at State House, Nairobi.
“I want to assure you that you have my support and I will say Hands-off
our Pangolin,” she said.
The team, which included the Director of the Pangolin Project Dr Claire
Okell, was led by Tourism and Wildlife Principal Secretary Zeinab Husein and
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Director-General Brigadier (Rtd) John Waweru.
Margaret who is also the patron of a Kenyan anti-poaching campaign
namely “Hands Off Our Elephants”, commended the Pangolin Project initiators for
their commitment to conserving wildlife.
The team presented the First Lady with a sculpture of a pangolin moulded
by artists who have dedicated their talents to creating pieces that generate
funds to protect the species.
The Pangolin Project had gifted the sculpture to Kenya Wildlife Services
as a symbol of the collaborative commitment to protecting even the most
vulnerable of wildlife species.
British Deputy High Commissioner to Kenya Josephine Gauld commended the
First Lady for her conservation efforts, noting that a sister sculpture is
currently on display at Number 10 Downing Street in the United Kingdom.
She pointed out that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is also a
champion of wildlife conservation and is keen on supporting efforts aimed at
curbing the illegal trafficking of pangolins.
“I must give full credit to KWS and the Pangolin Project. Our Prime
Minister is also a champion of wildlife conservation and he has keen interest
in combating the crime,” she said.
Wildlife Principal Secretary Ms Zeinab Hussein and the KWS Director
General Brig. Waweru briefed the First Lady on conservation efforts being
undertaken by the ministry, noting that for the first time in many years the
country has experienced growth in the number of elephants.
The Principal Secretary stated that for the last three years the country
has witnessed a growth of the elephant population besides having zero poaching
of rhinos.
She added that her ministry was keen on raising awareness of the
importance of conserving pangolins as well. Later at a separate function at
State House, Nairobi, the First Lady was presented with two books by Executive
Director of Wema Children Centre, Lucy Wambui Yinda and Inua Dada Foundation
founder Janet Mbugua.
The two books highlight stories on social justice equity. Ms Lucy Yinda
pointed out that her book entitled ‘Courage is a calling’ is intended to
inspire and encourage those who may be going through troubles and those who may
be considering starting a project to help the needy but have sorts of doubts
and fears.
She thanked the First Lady for supporting the needy and the most
vulnerable in society, pointing out that her affirmation to support the centre
has continued to inspire her to reach out to more street children.
“The book is about the
struggle, personal struggle going to the streets to get children who needed
support. It is about personal struggles when I began the work. The book is also
about street life challenges the children face,” she said.
