magicnewskenya

Wildlife conservation organisation WildlifeDirect has called for an independent investigation and sweeping reforms to Kenya's pesticide regulation following the deaths of at least 15 elephants in the Amboseli ecosystem, warning that the incident exposes a wider public health and environmental crisis. In a statement, WildlifeDirect Chief Executive Officer Dr. Paula Kahumbu said the deaths should not be viewed as an isolated wildlife tragedy but as evidence of serious weaknesses in Kenya's pesticide governance, regulatory oversight and enforcement systems. She warned that if toxic chemicals used in farming are capable of contaminating crops consumed by elephants, there are growing concerns over the potential risks to farmers, farm workers, neighbouring communities, livestock and consumers. According to preliminary investigations by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the elephant deaths have been linked to cyanide contamination associated with pesticides used on tomato ...