Top US business personalities and celebrities are expected to be in Kenya in April to attend a global summit that seeks to champion against illegal trade in wildlife, The Star reported on Tuesday.

The conference is part of a week of events aimed at stopping the slaughter of endangered animals for their bones, hides or tusks — much in demand in some parts of Asia and the rest of the world.

Among those on the invitation list include philanthropist and media entrepreneur Michael Bloomberg, investment guru George Soros and Howard Buffet — son to one of worlds richest men Warren Buffet.

Some of the top America celebrities expected to attend the event include Hollywood actor Leonardo Di Caprio, Musician Elton John and actress Nicole Kidman.

Heads of state from Across Africa, Europe and Asia are also expected to head to the East African nation.

“They will be joined by a host of African glitterati in a campaign to sustain the fight against poaching and the illegal trade in ivory, for which Kenya is already a recognised leader,” The Star quoted Kenya’s Environment Minister, Professor Judi Wakhungu, saying.

Other world leaders that has show concern over the rampant killing of Africa’s wild animals include  U.K’s Princes Charles and William.

Susan Lieberman, executive director of Conservation Policy at the Wildlife Conservation Society, told AFKInsider illegal wildlife poaching  was “up there with drug smuggling and arms smuggling and it needs to be addressed the same way”.

Some 25,000 elephants are being killed each year alongside nearly 1,000 rhinos across Kenya, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Central African Republic, Sudan, Chad and Niger.