The United Green Movement (UGM) has urged the Kenyan government to strengthen pesticide regulation enforcement after 15 elephants died in the Amboseli ecosystem due to cyanide poisoning.
Preliminary investigations by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) revealed that the elephants likely ingested cyanide-contaminated tomatoes from nearby farms. Authorities are also examining whether cyanide linked to unregulated artisanal mining contributed to the contamination.
In a statement released on Friday, UGM described the incident as a critical environmental alert underscoring the need for rigorous enforcement of environmental and pesticide laws to safeguard wildlife, ecosystems, and local communities.
Calls for Comprehensive Investigations and Accountability
- UGM called on the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Pest Control Products Board (PCPB), and county governments around Amboseli to conduct thorough investigations.
- The party urged enforcement of existing regulations and accountability for any violations involving hazardous chemicals.
- They also demanded an independent audit of pesticide and toxic chemical supply chains, including those linked to artisanal mining activities.
Protecting Communities and Wildlife
- UGM recommended immediate testing of nearby produce, water sources, and livestock to prevent further poisoning risks.
- The party urged public health advisories for affected communities and investment in safer farming practices near conservation areas.
- It reiterated its longstanding call to ban 202 pesticides classified as highly hazardous but still in local use despite international prohibitions.
"Kenya's wildlife is not collateral damage, and our people are not expendable. This must be the moment enforcement becomes real, transparent, and equal for all," the statement concluded.
KWS confirmed the elephants died over the past month after ingesting pesticides sprayed on farms adjacent to Amboseli National Park, highlighting the urgent need for action.
