Abstract

The rhinoceros is endangered species in Kenya.Due to rampant poaching, the population of the blackrhinoceros decreased from about 20,000 in the 1970s to about300 in the early 1990s. Since then, its population increased toabout 745 in 2018. From 2011 to 2015, however, about 160rhinoceros were poached in Kenya. This paper examines thecurrent status of rhinoceros protection and discusses how theprotection regime can be improved in the future. We argue thatinter-agency collaboration and public engagement are key todismantle poaching cartels. These ideas can also facilitate theimplementation of Kenya’s Rhinoceros Action Plan. This paperexplores collaboration opportunities at Lake Nakuru NationalPark by examining wildlife law enforcement as well as theinvestigation and prosecution of rhinoceros crimes. Here localcommunities are key stakeholders as they can help identifypoachers and provide testimonies in courts. Inter-agencypartnership through sharing of information and intelligenceamong law enforcement agencies, investigators, andprosecutors could promote both human and wildlife justice.Wildlife crimes involving endangered species could beprosecuted at the Environment and Land Court to expeditewildlife crime litigation. In the future, county environmentcourts may be established to better handle specializedprosecution of environment and wildlife crimes.