This table provides metadata for the actual indicator available from Kenya statistics closest to the corresponding global SDG indicator. Please note that even when the global SDG indicator is fully available from Kenyan statistics, this table should be consulted for information on national methodology and other Kenyan-specific metadata information.
| Goal |
Goal 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss |
|---|---|
| Target |
Target 15.c: Enhance global support for efforts to combat poaching and trafficking of protected species, including by increasing the capacity of local communities to pursue sustainable livelihood opportunities |
| Indicator |
Indicator 15.c.1: Proportion of traded wildlife that was poached or illicitly trafficked |
| Metadata update |
May 2024 |
| Data reporter |
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics |
| Organisation |
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics |
| Contact person(s) |
Senior Manager Food Monitoring, Nutrition and Environment Statistics |
| Contact organisation unit |
Food Monitoring, Nutrition and Environment Statistics Division |
| Contact person function |
Collect, compile, analyze and disseminate Environment and Natural Resources Statistics |
| Contact phone |
+254-202-911-000 |+254-202-911-001 |
| Contact mail |
P. O BOX 30266-0100 |
| Contact email |
dps@knbs.or.ke |
| Definition and concepts |
he share of all trade in wildlife detected as being illegal Concepts: “All trade in wildlife” is the sum of the values of legal and illegal trade “Legal trade” is the sum of the value of all shipments made in compliance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), using valid CITES permits and certificates. “Illegal trade” is the sum of the value of all CITES/listed specimens seized |
| Unit of measure |
MT |
| Classifications |
N/A |
| Data sources |
Seizures Reports |
| Data collection method |
Questionnaire administered annually to the relevant Government body |
| Data collection calendar |
Annual |
| Data release calendar |
Annual |
| Data providers |
KWS |
| Data compilers |
KNBS |
| Institutional mandate |
The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) is established under the Statistics Act, 2006 as the principal agency of the Government for collecting, analyzing and disseminating statistical data in Kenya and as the custodian of official statistical information |
| Rationale |
There are over 35,000 species under international protection, so it is impossible to monitor all poaching. Illegal trade, however, is an indirect indicator of poaching. Wildlife seizures represent concrete instances of illegal trade, but the share of overall wildlife crime they represent is unknown and variable. In addition, the number of species under international protection continues to grow. Legal international trade in protected species, by definition, is 100% captured in the CITES Trade Database, which now contains over 16 million records of trade in CITES-listed species. To ground the illegal trade data in a complete indicator, the ratio of aggregated seizures to total trade is estimated. An increase in the share of total wildlife trade that is illegal would be interpreted as a negative indicator, and a decrease as a positive one. Because the illegal wildlife trade represents thousands of distinct products, a means of aggregation is necessary. The legal trade value does not represent the true black market value of the items seized, nor the true value of the legal shipments, because it is derived from a single market source (US LEMIS). It does, however, present a logical and consistent means of aggregating unlike products. |
| Comment and limitations |
Seizures are an incomplete indicator of trafficking, and subject to considerable volatility. Since the indicator looks at the relationship between two values, changes in the relationship could be due to changes in either value. |
| Method of computation |
The indicator is computed as value of illegal trade/(value of legal trade + value of illegal trade) |
| Validation |
N/A |
| Methods and guidance available to countries for the compilation of the data at the national level |
N/A |
| Quality management |
The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics is ISO certified based on 9001:2015 Standard requirements. The processes of compilation, production, publication and dissemination of data, including quality control, are carried out following the methodological framework and standards established by the KNBS, in compliance with the Internationally acceptable standards. |
| Quality assurance |
The KNBS adheres to Kenya Statistical Quality Assurance Framework (KesQAF) that underlines principles to be assured in managing the statistical production processes and output. Data consistency and quality checks are conducted through Technical Working Groups (TWGs) before publication and dissemination. |
| Quality assessment |
The processes of compilation, production, publication and dissemination of data, including quality control are subjected to a set criteria and standards to ensure conformity. |
| Data availability and disaggregation |
N/A |
| Comparability/deviation from international standards |
N/A |
| References and Documentation |
URL: www.unodc.org References: http://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/wildlife/Methodological_Annex_final.pdf http://trade.cites.org/cites_trade_guidelines/en-CITES_Trade_Database_Guide.pdf |
| Metadata last updated | Aug 28, 2025 |