In pictures: Kenya sets 105 tonnes of ivory and 1.35 tonnes of rhino horns on fire in historical event

President Uhuru Kenyatta has set on fire stockpile containing 105 tonnes of ivory and 1.35 tonnes of rhino horns in a historic ceremony to protest against slaughtering of elephants and the killing of about 340 of the endangered animals.

In a statement, President Kenyatta called for total ban on ivory trade before setting on fire the first of the eleven stockpiles in a semi-circle of tusks at the Nairobi National Park.

This is a historical event in which bonfires were the largest-ever torching of ivory which is seven times bigger than any stockpile burned before and is expected to burn for days.

KWS officers prepare the stockpile. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

A view of the eleven stockpiles prepared by the KWS officials. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

Officers stand guard at the site.(PHOTO: COURTESY)

The first of the stockpiles goes up in flames. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

A closeup of the burning ivory. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

Onlookers at the site of burning ivory. (PHOTO: COURTESY)