The signing of a financial information deal between a Non-Governmental Organisation and Cooperative Bank is a boost to the country’s fight against poaching.
A senior analyst, David Mariachana, says the pact signed by United For Wildlife (UFW) and the bank’s Chief Executive Officer Gideon Muriuki last month, will lock out poachers who have for years benefited from illegal wildlife trade.
He says the deal will expose transactions related to illegal trade in wildlife trophies to international organisations, that work to preserve endangered species.
“By this, Cooperative Bank agrees to expose financial transactions related to illegal trade in wildlife activities. It will also work with other global institutions to fight illegal wildlife trade. This means that the police and Interpol agencies across the world, will be notified of any suspect transaction that involves poachers and wildlife trophy hunters,” says Mariachana.
He has called on other financial institutions in the country to join hands support similar ventures aimed at protecting wild life.
“It is instructive to note that poachers have over the years used financial institutions platforms to carry out transactions of illegal wildlife trade,” says Mariachana.
He adds: “There is need for other local financial institutions and other related agencies to emulate Coop Bank.
