Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday set ablaze 15 metric tons of contraband ivory and vowed to intensify the ongoing war against wildlife crimes in the country.

Kenyatta burned the ivory stockpile in the presence of dignitaries from government, foreign missions and conservation groups to mark the World Wildlife Day.

"In the last three years, poaching and illicit wildlife trafficking have become a growing challenge for Kenya. These crimes threaten our biodiversity, security and peace," Kenyatta said.