‘No human casualties,’ Maasai Mara Association refutes reports of tourist deaths in floods

The Association says that despite floods ravaging the area leading to destruction of property and wildlife, all the tourists residing in the affected areas were safely evacuated.

A statement by Mara Association Chairman Harison Nampaso on Saturday reassured tourists of their safety in the wake of the high season that starts in June.

“In the wake of the recent floods in the Maasai Mara region, we acknowledge the circulation of various reports regarding wildlife casualties and unverified information,” stated Nampaso.

“In an official statement to the Mara Managers Association on May 4th 2024, Chief Officer Tourism Samwel Leposo has confirmed that up to now, no human casualties have been reported within the flooded areas, all tourists were safely evacuated from camps and lodges where needed.”

According to the Association, most of the flood-hit areas are revealed that those adjacent to the Mara River, Talek River, and Sand River where floods have displaced people, destroyed camps and lodges along their banks and impacted the tourism sector and local economy.

While appealing to the government to step up and help in the reconstruction of critical infrastructure, Nampaso says that the Talek Gate Bridge, the Mara Simba Bridge and the Mara Rianta Bridge are unpassable and damaged and the Mara Bridge were completely destroyed by the floods.

“In addition to the impact on tourism, local communities residing near the flooded rivers are facing significant hardships. Homes have been inundated, and essential services disrupted, leading to humanitarian concerns such as displacement, shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies,” he stated. 

“The floods have also affected the rich biodiversity of the Maasai Mara ecosystem. Wildlife habitats along the Mara River, Talek River, and Sand River have been submerged, displacing animals and potentially leading to loss of life.”

The Association has also urged humanitarian organizations to chip in and offer medical assistance, relief supplies, and financial other support to the local community. 

“We appeal to the international community, NGOs, and concerned stakeholders to extend their support to the ongoing relief efforts in the affected areas of the Maasai Mara region. Contributions of essential supplies, financial aid, and expertise in disaster management are crucial to addressing the immediate needs and facilitating recovery,” Nampaso noted.

The development comes after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki also confirmed that multi-agency teams had safely evacuated 90 people from Masai Mara where 19 lodges were flooded after River Talek overflowed.

“Emergency response teams from Narok County alongside the County Security team and Red Cross successfully evacuated 90 individuals in coordinated efforts by ground and aerial units in the Masai Mara where 19 lodges were flooded after River Talek overflowed. No fatalities reported and a tracing desk has been set up at the Masai Mara Sekenani Gate,” Kindiki stated.