Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga has called for stronger international cooperation in the fight against wildlife trafficking, warning that the crime is increasingly becoming a sophisticated form of transnational organised crime.
Ingonga reaffirmed the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions’ (ODPP) commitment to combating wildlife crime and other offences against the environment.
He made the remarks on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, during the official opening of the 10th Wildlife Inter-regional Enforcement Conference at Argyle Hotel in Nairobi.
The three-day conference, convened by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in partnership with the ODPP Kenya, brings together investigators, prosecutors, customs officers and wildlife authorities from different parts of the world.
Among those attending is Sri Lanka’s Attorney-General, Parinda Ranasinghe.
Ingonga warned that wildlife trafficking thrives on interconnected criminal activities and networks, making international collaboration essential in dismantling the syndicates behind the illegal trade.
He noted that the fight against wildlife crime should go beyond tracking and reporting the quantities of illegal animal products seized by law enforcement agencies.
According to the DPP, the impact of wildlife crime must also be measured by its devastating consequences on wildlife populations, local communities and ecosystems.
He further pointed out that criminal enterprises continue to profit from the destruction of the world’s natural heritage, highlighting the need for stronger enforcement and prosecution measures.
The conference seeks to strengthen international cooperation, improve information sharing and enhance enforcement strategies among countries in tackling wildlife trafficking and related organised crimes.
The meeting comes amid growing concerns over cross-border criminal networks involved in the illegal trade in wildlife products, which pose a threat to biodiversity and environmental conservation.
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