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Britain's Prince William in Kenya for wedding, conservation efforts

Xinhua, March 25, 2016 Adjust font size:

Britain's Duke of Cambridge Prince William arrived in Kenya on Thursday and held talks with President Uhuru Kenyatta in Nairobi where he pledged to back the country's conservation efforts.

Prince William who will be spending his Easter holiday in the country will also attend the wedding of his ex-girlfriend, Jecca Craig who is the daughter of Kenyan conservationist Ian Craig.

Jecca will be tying the knot on Saturday to conservationist Professor Jonathan Baillie at a private ceremony at the Lewa Wildlife Reserve in northwest Kenya.

"The Duke, who is President of United For Wildlife, will use his time in Kenya to see first-hand some of the longstanding conservation and anti-poaching initiatives taking place, which are supported by Tusk Trust, the charity of which he is Royal Patron," a statement from the British High Commission in Kenya said.

During his four-day visit, his Royal Highness will witness vets at work in the field as they fit radio tracking collars to elephants to help with research and conservation.

"The Duke of Cambridge will also spend time with a team of highly trained rangers in Lewa Conservancy, to learn about their work protecting one of Africa's significant rhino populations from poaching," it said.

During the meeting with Kenyatta, Prince William assured President Kenyatta of his support to the government's efforts to conserve wildlife.

"If there is anything I can do to raise the profile in your efforts to conserve wildlife I will do it," William said according to a statement issued after the meeting.

President Kenyatta and the Duke of Cambridge also discussed security and the war against terrorism where the President emphasized on the need to deal with the root cause of radicalisation.

During the meeting, Kenyatta highlighted Kenya's progress in combating poaching, disclosing that next month he will preside over the torching of 120 tonnes of ivory and 1.5 tonnes of rhino horn.

"We are determined to conserve our wildlife for posterity and welcome all the support we can get in this endeavour," President Kenyatta said.

He said the destruction of the ivory and rhino horn will send a strong message that trade in illegal wildlife trophies is not tolerated.

Kenyatta said Kenya is keen on working closely with its neighbours and development partners in wildlife conservation.

He expressed the need to involve local communities in the conservation efforts, saying the move will benefit people and help reduce human-wildlife conflict. Endit