The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) on Wednesday commissioned a modern patrol boat for Sibiloi National Park in an effort to bolster the protection of Lake Turkana in the northwest region of the country, APA reports citing Xinhua.
Erustus Kanga, director general of KWS, told journalists in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi that the water vessel, donated by its partners, is equipped with modern sonar and radar technologies.
"The boat will play a critical role in strengthening surveillance, deterring illegal activities, protecting fisheries, and ensuring the safety of both wildlife and communities whose livelihoods depend on the lake's fragile ecosystem," Kanga said.
He revealed that the boat will improve safety for KWS rangers while enhancing their ability to secure Lake Turkana by enabling timely patrols.
He observed that beyond security, the patrol boat is expected to open new horizons for tourism in northern Kenya through offering safer access to the lake and national park.
Mekuria Argaw, executive director of the Horn of Africa Regional Environmental Center and Network, emphasized the importance of protecting both the water body and wildlife park, as they are connected to wildlife parks in Ethiopia.
