- Talek River burst its banks, flooding some of the camps.
- Narok government deployed two helicopters to help rescue tourists and workers stuck after their hotels and camps were submerged.
Image: KIRUI KIPLAGAT
The ongoing floods that have wreaked havoc within the world-famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve have turned the spotlight on tourist camps built along water bodies.
Talek River burst its banks, flooding some of the camps.
On Thursday, Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina said those building camps along the river in the Maasai Mara must think twice about the consequences.
“Mother Nature is not happy with us. Mara Bush Camp, JW Marriott, Intrepid Mara and many other camps built along the river have been submerged. The planned construction of JW Marriott lodge in the border of Kenya and Tanzania (Mara and Serengeti) should also stop as it will have serious consequences for migration. The moratorium should be for everyone. We should not have any sacred cow; everyone is equal. It does not matter who is behind the deal,” he said.
Following the heavy rains pounding the area, the Narok government deployed two helicopters to help rescue tourists and workers stuck after their hotels and camps were submerged.
A statement released by the county authority said that after several days of continuous rainfall witnessed in the country, the rivers had swollen, impacting several camps and areas in Maasai Mara.
“We have deployed two helicopters on standby to evacuate people from affected areas upon receiving distress calls,” the statement said.
Many tourists and locals escaped death by a whisker early Wednesday as the muddy waters of River Talek coursed through camps and lodges in the famous park.
The river burst its banks at midnight following heavy rains upstream.
Workers and tourists were woken by frightening roars and before they realised what was happening, water was gushing into lodges, tents and camps.
Talek road was impassable and motorists were forced to use a longer route through Sekenani gate to reach Narok town.
Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu said that as the heavy rains persist, it is essential for individuals to relocate to safer areas and ensure access to emergency supplies.
“We are implementing plans and mobilising resources to respond promptly to distress calls and ensure the safety of our residents. We remain dedicated to fulfilling our duty to protect and serve the people during these challenging times,” Ntutu said.
On Wednesday, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua urged owners of hotels and camps adjacent to rivers within national parks and reserves to prepare for potential evacuation should rivers overflow.
“Several camps have been impacted, prompting our coordinated reserve efforts, which have been effective thus far,” Mutua said.
This is not the first time camps built along the river have been in the spotlight.
Former Tourism CS Najib Balala and former Narok Governor Samuel Tunai discussed the Mara Ngenche Safari Camp built beside the Mara River.
Balala said the camp was blocking the wildebeest crossing.
"It's very disturbing, and we expect the governor to have the camp removed," he said.
The CS said he had insisted on a management plan to protect wildlife migration corridors and enhance biodiversity. A plan was recommended in 2016.
The National Environment Management Authority closed the luxury Mara Ngenche Safari Camp for blocking the migration of wildebeests trying to cross the river in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve.
“The camp will immediately close all operations until a full environmental impact assessment study is done to determine the suitability of the camp at the confluence of the Talek and Mara rivers,” former Nema board chairman John Konchellah said.
Konchellah ordered the camp to immediately remove two structures in the riparian area.
Noting that the problem of blocked crossings could be massive, Nema set up a multiagency team to audit all tourist facilities in the reserve within a month.
All non-compliant facilities were to be shut down.
Konchellah said the camp opened in 2011 with six tents but lacked the required environmental impact assessment.
“Lack of an EIA study is a serious environmental offence, negating proper mitigation measures that could have been put in place to avoid incidents like the one on September 14," he said.
The former chairman said the camp now has 12 tents, six on the Talek River and six on the Mara River.
Two structures were built in riparian reserves, he said.
An audit in 2016 showed that more than half the tourist facilities in the game reserve were within the riparian reserve.
The audit commissioned by Narok government and conducted by the East African Wildlife Society showed that more than 50 per cent of facilities violated environmental protection rules.
"Skewed spatial distribution was largely influenced by the desire to have tourist facilities close to migratory routes, water sources, favourable micro-climate and rich biodiversity associated with the riverine ecosystem," the report read.
According to the 2006 water quality regulations, structures must be at a minimum of six metres and a maximum of 30 metres from the highest water mark.
The 2016 audit showed Maasai Mara Reserve had 31 facilities with 1,382 beds.
Some 84 percent had leases, 58 percent had single business permits, and 48 percent had an EIA license and EA reports.
The law requires all facilities to have leases as proof of ownership and be registered by the Ministry of Lands.
They must at all times display the single business permits issued by the county.
The audit further revealed that 58 percent of the tourist facilities had improper waste management and disposal practices, posing a great threat to terrestrial and aquatic life.
"Solid waste attracts carrion-eaters such as hyenas, baboons, vervet monkeys, and marabou storks, which may result in human-wildlife conflict, wildlife poisoning, and wildlife behaviour change, especially in their natural feeding habits," the audit said.
It noted the prevalence of invasive species in the reserve, especially in tourist facilities, and said they endangered the reserve.
According to the audit, 55 percent of tourist facilities lacked Environmental Impact Assessment licenses and Environmental Audit reports as required by the Environment Management and Coordination (Amendment) Act 2015.
The Act requires all projects conduct an EIA before construction starts and that the EIA report is submitted to Nema for approval and issuing an EIA licence.
The regulations also require annual environmental assessments.
Environmental degradation as a result of frequent off-road driving by tour drivers was evident in the reserve, especially on the eastern side.
Off-road driving damages natural vegetation disturbs wildlife and can be disastrous to the whole reserve if not controlled.
Off-road driving is not allowed in the reserve but awareness of its negative impact and enforcement by Narok County are poor.
The reserve is part of the larger Mara-Serengeti ecosystem.
It is supported by community and private conservancies surrounding it. They almost double the size of protected land.
The wildlife in the ecosystem would be greatly compromised without the conservancies.