Taita Taveta Governor, Andrew Mwadime, has moved to calm public concerns over the planned fencing of the Tsavo West Rhino Sanctuary, saying the project will protect endangered black rhinos, reduce human-wildlife conflict and create jobs for residents.
Briefing the press in his Mwatate office Friday, Mwadime said the fencing initiative should not be viewed merely as a conservation project but as a long-term investment that will generate employment, attract tourism and unlock new economic opportunities for the county.
The Governor said the sanctuary will play a critical role in protecting the endangered black rhino, which he described as part of Kenya's national heritage.
“We are not just fencing a sanctuary. We are protecting an endangered species, attracting tourists, researchers and development partners, and creating opportunities for our people,” he said.
His remarks come amid public concerns over the fencing project, with some residents questioning its impact on local communities.
Mwadime assured residents that employment opportunities arising from the project would prioritize people from Taita Taveta County, including machine operators, artisans and casual labourers.
He added that local businesses would benefit from supplying construction materials and providing accommodation and logistics services required during implementation.
The Governor acknowledged the hardships faced by communities living near wildlife conservation areas, including deaths, crop destruction and loss of livestock due to human-wildlife conflict.
He said the fencing project is expected to minimize such conflicts by improving management of wildlife movements within the sanctuary.
Mwadime further revealed that five hotels are planned within the sanctuary to boost tourism and create additional employment opportunities for residents.
He urged investors and hospitality facilities operating within the Tsavo ecosystem to prioritize the recruitment of workers from Taita Taveta County.
The Governor emphasized that the sanctuary would be a shared resource between the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the people of Taita Taveta, ensuring local communities benefit from conservation efforts.
On revenue generation from the Tsavo conservation ecosystem, Mwadime said earlier proposals seeking a 50-50 revenue-sharing arrangement from Tsavo National Parks had stalled after it emerged that the parks were not generating sufficient income and were instead receiving support from the National Treasury.
He, however, expressed optimism about carbon credit opportunities linked to the vast Tsavo ecosystem, a significant portion of which lies within Taita Taveta County. He disclosed that he recently discussed the matter with president William Ruto and proposed exploring carbon credit programmes as an alternative source of revenue for the county.
According to the Governor, the President has since directed KWS to explore the feasibility of implementing carbon credit initiatives within the ecosystem. He said successful implementation of the programme could unlock a new revenue stream for the county while strengthening conservation and climate action efforts.
