Kenya Wildlife Service was created in 1990, replacing the dysfunctional Wildlife Conservation and Management Department. Richard Leakey was appointed director and turned KWS into a disciplined, well-funded force. He armed rangers, improved equipment, and made poaching dangerous. The ivory stockpile burn in 1989 announced Kenya's commitment. But KWS has also struggled with corruption, underfunding, and political interference. It is better than it was, but still fragile, dependent on tourism revenue and vulnerable to the whims of government. Conservation in Kenya lives or dies with KWS.