Level In Kenya Research Articles

Power and positionality in the practice of health system responsiveness at sub-national level: insights from the Kenyan coast

BackgroundHealth system responsiveness to public priorities and needs is a broad, multi-faceted and complex health system goal thought to be important in promoting inclusivity and reducing system inequity in participation. Power dynamics underlie the complexity of responsiveness but are rarely considered. This paper presents an analysis of various manifestations of power within the responsiveness practices of Health Facility Committees (HFCs) and Sub-county Health Management Teams (SCHMTs) operating at the subnational level in Kenya. Kenyan policy documents identify responsiveness as an important policy goal.MethodsOur analysis draws on qualitative data (35 interviews with health managers and local politicians, four focus group discussions with HFC members, observations of SCHMT meetings, and document review) from a study conducted at the Kenyan Coast. We applied a combination of two power frameworks to interpret our findings: Gaventa’s power cube and Long’s actor interface analysis.ResultsWe observed a weakly responsive health system in which system-wide and equity in responsiveness were frequently undermined by varied forms and practices of power. The public were commonly dominated in their interactions with other health system actors: invisible and hidden power interacted to limit their sharing of feedback; while the visible power of organisational hierarchy constrained HFCs’ and SCHMTs’ capacity both to support public feedback mechanisms and to respond to concerns raised. These power practices were underpinned by positional power relationships, personal characteristics, and world views. Nonetheless, HFCs, SCHMTs and the public creatively exercised some power to influence responsiveness, for example through collaborations with political actors. However, most resulting responses were unsustainable, and sometimes undermined equity as politicians sought unfair advantage for their constituents.ConclusionOur findings illuminate the structures and mechanisms that contribute to weak health system responsiveness even in contexts where it is prioritised in policy documents. Supporting inclusion and participation of the public in feedback mechanisms can strengthen receipt of public feedback; however, measures to enhance public agency to participate are also needed. In addition, an organisational environment and culture that empowers health managers to respond to public inputs is required.

Effect of Strategic Financial Controls on Project Implementation in Selected County Government in Western Kenya

Purpose: The study analyzed the effect of strategic financial controls on project implementation in Selected County Government in Western Kenya. Methodology/Approach: A correlation research design was achieved. There are a total of 72 workers here, including managers, freelancers, and other employees. A pilot study was performed at the Busia County Government to test and verify the efficacy of the research instruments. If the coefficient of the research instruments was greater than 0.7, they were considered suitable for usage. Predetermined questions were used to collect data. The research data was analyzed employing a mix of descriptive and inferential (simple linear regression and correlation) statistics. The data was displayed using tables. Findings: The research benefited county government administration, informed academics in adjacent subjects, added to the existing literature on strategic controls, and sparked more investigation into strategic planning and performance at the county level in Kenya. Specifically, a positive linear relationship was discovered between financial controls and project implementation (R = 0.897). Implications: The research urged that since the importance of fiscal management was highlighted in the study, it was suggested that county governments make funds available to improve county performance.

Observations of enhanced rainfall variability in Kenya, East Africa

Understanding local patterns of rainfall variability is of great concern in East Africa, where agricultural productivity is dominantly rainfall dependent. However, East African rainfall climatology is influenced by numerous drivers operating at multiple scales, and local patterns of variability are not adequately understood. Here, we show evidence of substantial variability of local rainfall patterns between 1981 and 2021 at the national and county level in Kenya, East Africa. Results show anomalous patterns of both wetting and drying in both the long and short rainy seasons, with evidence of increased frequency of extreme wet and dry events through time. Observations also indicate that seasonal and intraseasonal variability increased significantly after 2013, coincident with diminished coherence between ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillation) and rainfall. Increasing frequency and magnitude of rainfall variability suggests increasing need for local-level climate change adaptation strategies.

Factors associated with modern contraceptive utilization among reproductive age women in Kenya; evidenced by the 2022 Kenyan demographic and health survey

BackgroundGlobally, sexual and reproductive health is a significant public health issue for women of the reproductive age group. A modern contraceptive method enables individuals and families to manage fertility by reducing unintended pregnancies, abortions, pregnancy-related morbidity, and death. A modern contraceptive method is a drug or medical treatment that prevents sexual activity from leading to pregnancy. However, there is limited reliable and updated data on factors associated with modern contraceptive utilization among reproductive-age women at the national level in Kenya. So, the major goal of this study was to evaluate factors associated with modern contraceptive utilization among women of reproductive age in Kenya at the national level, as evidenced by the 2022 Kenyan demographic and health survey.MethodsThe most recent datasets from the Kenyan Demographic and Health Survey were used for secondary data analysis. In all, 14,987 women of reproductive age participated in the investigation. Data for multivariable analysis on the factors influencing modern contraceptive utilization among Kenyan women of reproductive age can be obtained from the Kenyan Demographic and Health Survey. Finally, the odd ratio and percentages were presented along with their 95% confidence intervals.ResultThis study includes a total weighted sample of 14,987 reproductive-age women from the Kenyan demographic and health survey. Of the total contraceptive use, 90.1% of the study participants used modern contraceptives. Being married [AOR: 1.593, 95% CI (1.302, 1.948)], living in an urban area [AOR: 1.230, 95% CI (1.060, 1.428)], reading a magazine [1.002, 95% CI (0.921, 1.091)], listening to radio [AOR: 1.265, 95% CI (1.101, 1.454)], not breastfeeding [AOR: 1.296, 95% CI (1.114, 1.507), and having more than two children [AOR: 2.350, 95% CI (1.603, 3.445)] were the factors that promote modern contraceptive utilization. Conversely, having a history of terminated pregnancy [AOR: 0.767, 95% CI (0.657, 0.897), being Muslim [AOR: 0.566, 95% CI (0.418, 0.766)], and being in the 35–39 age range [AOR: 0.766, 95% CI (0.605, 0.971)] were all associated with a lower use of modern contraceptives.ConclusionCertain factors such as marriage, living in urban areas, having more than two children, having a female-led household, belonging to the middle class, reading magazines, listening to the radio, and not breastfeeding have a positive correlation with the use of modern contraceptives. Conversely, being a Muslim, aged between 35 and 39, and having a history of miscarriages are negatively correlated with the use of modern contraceptives. This indicates that addressing socioeconomic, geographic, and cultural barriers could improve the effectiveness of modern contraceptive.

Impact of Supply Side Shocks on Kenyan Exports to COMESA

The study sought to determine the impact of supply-side shocks on Kenyan exports to COMESA region. This was motivated by the increasing number of shocks that have hit the country, the region and the global economy in the recent past. Using secondary data covering the period from 1990 to 2021, the study applied the Vector Auto Regression model and estimated impulse response functions to show the effect of shocks on each of Kenya's exports to the region. The study established that Kenya's exports to COMESA as a region are impacted by oil price shocks, variations in investment level in Kenya and exchange rate. Erratic weather patterns characterized by droughts do not affect the country's exports to the region. Therefore, the paper recommends that for Kenya to boost its exports to the region and subsequently boost Intra-COMESA trade, the government of Kenya should promote investment and ensure that the country gets enough crude oil supplies even when global prices are rising as this will boost the country's exports to the region.

Assessment of Competencies of Secondary School Principals in Kisii County, Kenya

The question of performance in education has occupied center stage in educational discourse the world over. Many factors have been attributed to influence performance in schools. At the secondary school level in Kenya, principals have been thought to play a crucial role in the performance of students. In Kisii county, the performance of students in examinations has not been impressive and this has partly been blamed on principals. The purpose of this study was therefore to assess the competencies of the principals in Secondary schools in Kisii. The main objectives of the study were to: Determined the competencies of principals in terms of human resource management, general management, financial management, carrying out action research, curriculum development and implementation; and to assess the competencies of the principal in adhering to established supervision criteria. The study used a mixed method research design and within it used concurrent triangulation design. The target population was 360 principals, 360 Board of Management Chairpersons (BOMs), 11 Sub-County Directors of Education (SCDs) and 11 Quality Assurance and Standard Officers (QASO). The sample population consisted of 36 principals, 9 QASOs, 9 SCDs and 36 BOM Chairpersons selected through simple random sampling. Questionnaires and interview guides were used for data collection. The validity of the instruments was ensured through expert vetting. The reliability of the instruments was ascertained through piloting and use of the test-retest method. It was found out that the principals’ competencies in human resource management was poor, general management was average, competencies to carry out action research was average, curriculum development and implementation was average, and supervisory competencies were poor. Based on these findings, it is recommended that the principal should be taken through an education programme to improve their competencies.

Understanding readiness for transition from Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization support for immunization at the subnational level in Kenya: the case of 15 counties

Understanding readiness for transition from Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization support for immunization at the subnational level in Kenya: the case of 15 counties

Strengthening health financing at sub-national level in Kenya: a stakeholder and needs mapping through a mixed methods approach

Strengthening health financing at sub-national level in Kenya: a stakeholder and needs mapping through a mixed methods approach

THE PERCEPTION OF THE CUSTOMS’ STAFF ON ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS AND TAX COMPLIANCE IN KENYA

In developing economies like Kenya, central to the problem of tax compliance are low-income entities, who struggles with making sure they register, file, and pay their taxes on time. All governments, in general, confront the same difficulties in assessing tax compliance risks and adopt administrative reforms, such as system automation, taxpayer education, staff training and enforcement strategies. This study sought to establish how these administrative reforms adopted within the customs offices in Kenya influence tax compliance. The study adopted correlational research design with a target population of 1736 employees within the seven Divisions in Customs & Border Control Department in Kenya. A stratified random sampling technique was applied to identify a sample size of 175 employees for the study. The primary data collected, through questionnaires, was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results revealed that the adopted administrative reforms of system automation, taxpayer education, staff training and enforcement strategies explains about 49.1% of the variations on the tax compliance level in Kenya, with system automation, staff training and enforcement strategies having a positive significant influence. Therefore, tax authorities and fiscal policy architects can take proactive steps towards fostering a culture of compliance, thereby enhancing revenue collection and the overall efficiency and effectiveness of tax administration in Kenya.

The Role of Planning Regulatory Controls and Policies in Preservation of Urban Landscape Identity in Urban Renewal: A Case Study of Kisumu City, Kenya

Urban renewal undertaken to respond to urban decay and physical deterioration within cities especially in the Global South are rarely guided by planning regulatory controls and policies that recognize the importance of landscape identity. There is need to acknowledge and integrate landscape values and identity in planning regulatory controls and policies that guide infrastructural developments and urban renewal within cities. This should ensure preservation, conservation of the unique and distinct features that differentiate between places to avoid homogenization of cities. The aim of this study is to identify gaps and make recommendations to the planning regulatory controls and policies that support the preservation of landscape identity in urban renewal projects. Legal and policy frameworks that regulate planning, development and those that regulate preservation of urban areas at national and county levels in Kenya through various identified Acts of parliament has been discussed. These legal and policy frameworks regulate urban renewal and or redevelopment through preparation of the Local Physical Development Plans (LPDPs). The steps followed in the initiation and execution of the various works under the renewal are discussed as guided by existing national and county policies and legal frameworks. The study analysed and documented existing planning regulations, by-laws and policies that are involved in the execution of urban renewal in Kisumu City through desk review of relevant documents within County Government of Kisumu (CGK) and at national level. The study presents a conceptual framework that connects urban renewal to urban landscape identity. The study found out that the existing policies and regulatory controls lacked the inclusion of landscape identity in guiding urban renewal and other new infrastructural developments and this study fills this gap. The study recommends adoption of legislative and institutional frameworks and measures that support recognition and adoption of the environmental and landscape values of heritage e.g., within the Old Town area

Income Inequality And Economic Growth in Kenya

Kenya aimed to achieve an economic growth of 10% annually by the year 2012. However, the 10% economic growth rate has not been achieved as at the end of the year 2022. This is an indication that the economic growth rate has been lagging the target for the vision 2030. The gap between the richest and poorest has reached extreme levels in Kenya. Less than 0.1% of the population owns more wealth than the bottom 99.9%. The findings of this research indicate high levels of income disparity are affecting the economyʹs growth process as well as contributing to the rise in poverty. The increase in economic growth has the tendency to lessen income inequality after a certain point. The process of changing a countryʹs economy from an agrarian society to an industrial society was responsible for the significant income inequality during the early stages of economic expansion. Kuznets also highlighted the fundamental adjustments made in economic growth. A negative relationship was observed which meant that a rise in income inequality would have a deteriorating effect on economic growth. This study therefore recommends that Kenya should devise appropriate measures such as deregulating the economy, setting up strong and accountable institutions to ensure the principle of equity is observed in the allocation and distribution of resources. This can be made possible through development of inclusive political and economic institutions that would promote the principle of equity as enshrined in the constitution of Kenya

Influence of Teacher Level of Training on the Implementation of CBC in Public Special Schools for Learners with Visual Impairment in Kitui County

The government of Kenya has put a lot of effort on provision of education for all irrespective of their abilities. Teachers as the key educational implementers have a great role in provision of education. With this regard, the purpose of this study is to assess the influence of teacher level of training on the implementation of CBC. This study was guided by curriculum implementation theory by Gross [23]. The study adopted a descriptive survey design and it targeted teachers, head-teachers and learners in special schools for learners with visual impairment in Kitui County. Purposive sampling method and simple random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. A sample size of 210 respondents was used, among them 150 learners, 45 teachers and 15 head-teachers. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used for data collection. Focus group discussions was also conducted among the learners with visual impairment with an aim of gathering information on issues related to availability and usage of ICT, teaching methods used by teachers and also learners’ perception towards CBC. Descriptive statistics was used for analysis of quantitative data which included mean and standard deviation, results were presented in frequencies and percentages. Key findings of the study were; majority 44.2% of the teachers possessed a diploma in special need education, this revealed that teachers had attained the minimum professional qualification that is required for one to be employed at primary school level in Kenya. Majority 76.7% of teachers indicated that they had not attended any in-service training. Majority 63.33% of the teachers rated themselves as having sufficient ICT integration skills/training to implement CBC. Key conclusion of the study was that teacher related factors influence implementation of competency-based curriculum. Key recommendations were that the Ministry of Education in conjunction with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development and Teachers Service Commission should continue training teachers on ICT knowledge and skills that are very critical to implementation of the new curriculum.

Dissipation of environmental DDT and its metabolites in selected rivers of south-western Kenya

Rivers are the main source of domestic and industrial water supplies in Kenya. In this study, water sampling was done at eight upstream sites in the Kuja River catchment, Kenya, between October 2016 and April 2017, specifically to test for residue levels of the organochlorine pesticide, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p,p′-DDT), and its degradation products, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p′-DDE) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (p,p′-DDD). The analysis was performed with gas chromatography coupled with electron-capture detection in an autosampler. Concentrations of these residues in the surface water samples ranged from below detection limit (BDL) to 1.1113 μg l-1 in the wet season, and from BDL to 2.007 μg l-1 in the dry season. Overall, the highest mean residue concentration was for p,p′-DDT (0.9669 ± 0.2994 μg l-1). The lowest mean concentration in the dry season was that of p,p′-DDE (0.1824 ± 0.0964 μg l-1), and in the wet season it was p,p′-DDD (0.0610 ± 0.0038 μg l-1). From our results it is evident that DDT is still in use and detectable in the study area, though the mean levels detected were below the acceptable thresholds for natural water as suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO). Except for a slightly higher mean spatial distribution of the metabolite p,p′-DDT, the resides were recorded as below the maximum admissible concentrations of pesticide residues in drinking water, as set out in WHO guidelines and by Kenya’s National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). Monitoring organochlorine pesticide contamination levels in Kenya’s water resources should be scaled up to leverage potential for a sustainable blue economy and in safeguarding human and environmental health.

Presence of trans-Fatty Acids Containing Ingredients in Pre-Packaged Foods and the Availability of Reported trans-Fat Levels in Kenya and Nigeria.

In most African countries, the prevalence of industrially produced trans-fatty acids (iTFA) in the food supply is unknown. We estimated the number and proportion of products containing specific (any hydrogenated edible oils) and non-specific (vegetable fat, margarine, and vegetable cream) ingredients potentially indicative of iTFAs among pre-packaged foods collected in Kenya and Nigeria. We also summarized the number and proportion of products that reported trans-fatty acids levels and the range of reported trans-fatty acids levels. In total, 99 out of 5668 (1.7%) products in Kenya and 310 out of 6316 (4.9%) products in Nigeria contained specific ingredients indicative of iTFAs. Bread and bakery products and confectioneries in both countries had the most foods that contained iTFAs-indicative ingredients. A total of 656 products (12%) in Kenya and 624 products (10%) in Nigeria contained non-specific ingredients that may indicate the presence of iTFAs. The reporting of levels of trans-fatty acids was low in both Kenya and Nigeria (11% versus 26%, respectively, p < 0.001). With the increasing burden of ischemic heart disease in Kenya and Nigeria, the rapid adoption of WHO best-practice policies and the mandatory declaration of trans-fatty acids are important for eliminating iTFAs.

Political Prioritisation for Performance-Based Financing at the County Level in Kenya: 2015 to 2018.

Performance based financing was introduced to Kilifi county in Kenya in 2015. This study investigates how and why political and bureaucratic actors at the local level in Kilifi county influenced the extent to which PBF was politically prioritised at the sub-national level. The study employed a single-case study design. The Shiffman and Smith political priority setting framework with adaptations proposed by Walt and Gilson was applied. Data was collected through document review (n=19) and in-depth interviews (n=8). Framework analysis was used to analyse data and generate findings. In the period 2015-2018, the political prioritisation of PBF at the county level in Kilifi was influenced by contextual features including the devolution of power to sub-national actors and rigid public financial management structures. It was further influenced by interpretations of the idea of 'pay-for-performance', its framing as 'additional funding', as well as contestation between actors at the sub national level about key PBF design features. Ultimately PBF ceased at the end of 2018 after donor funding stopped. Health reformers must be cognisant of the power and interests of national and sub national actors in all phases of the policy process, including both bureaucratic and political actors in health and non-health sectors. This is particularly important in devolved public governance contexts where reforms require sustained attention and budgetary commitment at the sub national level. There is also need for early involvement of critical actors to develop shared understandings of the ideas on which interventions are premised, as well as problems and solutions.

English Language Cultural Dynamics in ELT at Secondary School Level in Kenya

The debate on cultural issues of English language has recently taken centre stage in educational research in Kenya. Language educators have voiced their concern due to lack of recognition of the important role of culture in English language curriculum at secondary school level in Kenya. In addition, Kenya being an ethnically diverse country has realized problems of cultural intolerance in the recent past. Yet, culture of a language plays a major role in language development and acquisition of intercultural competence of learners in any society in the world. However, the contribution of English language culture has rarely been studied in the Kenyan context. This study sought to determine English language cultural related issues in English language pedagogy at secondary school level in Kenya. This was one of the objectives in a PhD Thesis research. The study adopted qualitative design, multiple case study method. The raw data was generated through the use of interview schedule, focused group discussions, document analysis and lesson observations. The research was carried out in Uasin Gishu County in six secondary schools based on categories girls, boys and mixed. The sample comprised of 60 participants: twelve teachers of English language and forty-eight form three students who were purposively sampled. The data was analyzed basing on emerging themes. The findings included etiquette, pronunciation of sounds, stress and intonation, grammar rules, English language cultural beliefs and indigenous languages. The study is useful to language educators, teachers of English language and curriculum designers. The study concludes that English language native culture could be enhanced more in the curriculum to help second language learners to learn English language with ease. Keywords: English language culture, teaching, curriculum, indigenous language culture DOI: 10.7176/JEP/14-2-03 Publication date: January 31 st 2023

The Effect of Public Debt on Economic Growth in Kenya

Using annual data from 1980 to 2019, this study examined the impact of public debt on Kenya's economic growth. Financing Gap theory served as a guide for the investigation. An explanatory research design was adopted in this study. The analysis of the long-run and short-run effects used a customized version of the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) Model. The R-square value from the VECM model was 58.62, and the Chi-square was 26.913 (p &gt; Chi2 = 0.0494), indicating that the VECM was suitable for parameter estimation. While external debt revealed a coefficient of 0.0003 with a p-value of 0.001 had a significant positive impact on economic growth, domestic debt reported a coefficient of -0.266 with a p-value of 0.019, supporting the debt overhang effect. If the marginal output of an available external debt is greater than or equal to the principal and interest payment, the study found that external debt had a positive impact on the economy of the borrowing country. On the other hand, domestic debt has a significant negative impact on economic growth. The government will be able to develop sound fiscal and monetary policies with the aid of the study's findings. The study demonstrates that increasing domestic debt levels in Kenya during the study period negatively and significantly impacted economic growth. As a result, this study suggests that the Kenyan government reduce domestic borrowing to avoid the crowding out effect, which has a detrimental long-term impact on economic growth. The government should use the borrowed domestic money to diversify the economy's productive base. This will boost long-term economic growth, widen the base of taxation, and increase the country's ability to pay off its obligations when they are due.

Small area estimation of health insurance coverage for Kenyan counties

Health insurance is important in disease management, access to quality health care and attaining Universal Health Care. National and regional data on health insurance coverage needed for policy making is mostly obtained from household surveys; however, estimates at lower administrative units like at the county level in Kenya are highly variable due to small sample sizes. Small area estimation combines survey and census data using a model to increases the effective sample size and therefore provides more precise estimates. In this study we estimate the health insurance coverage for Kenyan counties using a binary M‑quantile small area model for women (n=14{,}730) and men (n=12{,}007) aged 15 to 49 years old. This has the advantage that we avoid specifying the distribution of the random effects and distributional robustness is automatically achieved. The response variable is derived from the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2014 and auxiliary data from the Kenya Population and Housing Census 2009. We estimate the mean squared error using an analytical approach based on Taylor series linearization. The national direct health insurance coverage estimates are 18% and 21% for women and men respectively. With the current health insurance schemes, coverage remains low across the 47 counties. These county-level estimates are helpful in formulating decentralized policies and funding models.

Water policy, politics, and practice: The case of Kitui County, Kenya

The devolution of governance to county level in Kenya provides a window for innovation in water policy and practice, critical to improving water security in rural areas where almost half of households lack basic water services. In rural Kitui County, Kenya, a number of projects supported by different funders have served as policy experiments over the past 10 years. We apply an action-oriented knowledge framework to explore the kinds of knowledge that have been produced in the course of these interventions and reflect on what kinds of knowledge are contributing to institutional change and how they are contributing to sustainability in the rural water sector. Actionable recommendations for the further development of county-level water policy include: First, ensure local ownership of the policy-making process whilst enabling appropriate technical and legal support; second, take long timeframes of institutional change into account in donor programming; third, establish water, sanitation and hygiene forums bringing diverse actors within the sector together to build cohesion, facilitate knowledge exchange, enable collaborative learning, and deliver collective action.

Long-term trends in elephant mortality and their causes in Kenya

High mortality poses a serious threat to sustainable conservation of the African elephant (Loxodonta africana). Using detected carcass data collected by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) during 1992-2017, we analyze temporal and spatial variation in elephant mortality in Kenya. We investigate the major mortality causes and means used to kill elephants, carcass category, tusk recovery status, variation in mortality with elephant age and sex classes, differences between inside and outside protected areas (PAs), the Proportion of Illegally Killed Elephants (PIKE) and the overall mortality rate (MR — the number of dead/number of live elephants in a given year). In total 9,182 elephant deaths were recorded during the 26 years. Elephant mortality increased over time and was attributed primarily to natural (33.1%) and human-related causes, particularly ivory poaching (31.5%) and human-elephant conflicts (19.9%). Elephant mortality varied across Kenya’s 47 counties in correspondence with variation in elephant population size and was the highest in the leading elephant range counties of Taita Taveta, Laikipia, Samburu and Meru. Mortality was higher for males and adults and outside the protected areas. Most elephant carcasses had tusks (75.1%) but a few did not (12.5%). Yearly PIKE values peaked in 2012, the year with the highest poaching levels in Kenya during 1992-2017. MR increased throughout 1992-2017. Temporal variation in elephant mortality probability was significantly influenced by human and livestock population densities, average annual maximum temperature and total annual rainfall and the strength of these influences varied across the seven leading elephant range counties of Kenya. Natural processes are increasingly contributing to elephant mortality likely due to climate change and the associated food and water stress, exacerbated by contracting range. Enhancing anti-poaching and strategies for mitigating climate change impacts and human-elephant conflict and reducing range contraction while sustaining habitat connectivity can help reduce mortality and promote elephant conservation. Strengthening enforcement of international wildlife laws can further reduce illegal trade in tusks and killing of elephants.