Camps at Maasai Mara risk losing licenses for encroaching on rivers

Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina has blamed the reduced water level of the Mara River on encroachment of the Mau Forest by illegal camps.

Ole Kina expressed concern at the degradation of the environment around the Mara River “which has adverse effect on the Maasai Mara Ecosystem specifically on the annual migration.”

“I write to request your offices to provide me with a detailed report of all the licensed camps along the Mara River, Talek River, Olkeju Rongai River and Sand River which are situated inside the Maasai Mara Game Reserve,” he said in a letter to the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA).

“The report should include the list of all camps which have been licensed by the Authority as well as the history of their Environmental Impact Assessment Audits,” he added.

Ole Kina has further requested NEMA to include names of all camps situated outside the game reserve that have complied with the EIA requirement.

“Further, the report should also include any actions taken by the authority to ensure compliance,” the Senator added.