Kenya will enhance partnerships with neighboring countries and regional blocs in a bid to protect abundant natural resources like wildlife from the clutches of organized crime, an official has said. "Kenya, supported by Tanzania and the Republic of the Congo, will explore various avenues to provide adequate resources for the Lusaka Agreement Task Force and ensure the fulfillment of its mandate to combat illegal trade in wild fauna and flora," Malonza said on Thursday in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi after assuming the presidency of the 13th governing council of the parties to the Lusaka Agreement. The Lusaka Agreement was created to pool resources and forge a regional front in stemming organized local and transnational wildlife crime that not only endangers the survival of protected fauna and flora species but also threatens the socioeconomic and environmental well-being of the states. It has six member states comprising Kenya, Congo-Brazzaville, Lesotho, Liberia, Tanzania and Zambia, while Ethiopia, Eswatini and South Africa are signatories. This intervention will strengthen national and cross-border efforts to combat poaching and illegal wildlife trade in conservancy areas through intensified patrols," Muturi said. Enditem