Taita Taveta county will get at least 50 per cent of revenue collected from the Tsavo National Park, President William Ruto has promised.
The President on Sunday said there has not been an equity share of revenue from Kenya’s biggest park, thus resulting in marginalisation of the county.
It is estimated that Kenya collects more than Sh60 billion from Tsavo East and West national parks annually.
The two parks are Kenya’s largest and oldest protected area, occupying at least 60 per cent of the county.
“I know other counties are getting a share from conservancies and I agree with county leaders that there is a need for this region to get a share,” Ruto said during an interdenominational prayer service at Mwatunge grounds in Mwatate constituency.
Ruto further promised that the government will convene a meeting between county leaders and the Kenya Wildlife Service to agree on a revenue-sharing agreement.
He said sharing of the revenue will start this financial year.
He further directed KWS to employ1,500 youth as game rangers from the county as part of benefits to the community.
“The community has played a big role in conservation and has to be rewarded. We shall therefore employ a total of 1,500 young people as rangers and wardens,” the President said.
Earlier, the county leaders in a memorandum read by Governor Andrew Mwadime had asked the President to intervene and ensure that the county gets a share of revenue from the park.
The county has for years been pushing for the park to be converted to a game reserve and its management handed over to the county.
This, they said, would ensure that the county has full control of the park and collects all the revenue.
The move has been met with a problem on how revenue would be divided among the counties bordering Tsavo National Park if it is converted into a game reserve.
Apart from Taita Taveta, the park also borders Kitui, Makueni, Kilifi, Kwale, Tana River and Kajiado counties.
Almost all the seven counties have called for a slice of the park.
The president further promised to support small-scale miners to explore the county's potential in the county and economically transform the region.
He said the Sh60 million Voi Gemstone Value Addition Centre will be operating in two months.
The centre will benefit more than 1,500 small-scale miners across the mineral-rich county.
The Value Addition Centre is one of the government’s mining flagship projects and the only facility in Kenya where value addition will take place before minerals are sold.
It is supported by Voi MP Hamisi Chome (Wiper), Wundanyi MP Danson Mwashako (Wiper), Mwatate’s Peter Shake (Jubilee) and his Taveta counterpart John Bwire of Wiper.
Ruto was accompanied by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya.
Other leaders were Governor Andrew Mwadime, Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah, Nyeri Woman Representatuve Rahab Mukami, Uasin Gishu Woman Rep Gladys Boss among others.
The head of state pledged to work with all elected leaders in implementing the bottom-up development agenda.
“It is a good thing that county leaders have agreed to walk with us. I don’t want you to leave your parties but instead we join hands in serving Kenyans,” he said.
The head of state fired back at Azimio leader Raila Odinga, affirming his commitment to protecting Kenyans from destruction caused by his adversary's anti-government protests.
He said the opposition is determined to derail his development plan and that those involved in destruction of property will be brought to book.
The President cautioned the opposition leaders against using their communities to perpetrate their evil desires.
Further, Ruto urged youths to desist from being used by politicians to cause mayhem.
“Those calling for demonstrations have sent their families abroad yet they fund jobless youths to cause chaos. Such actions will not be tolerated,” he added.
On the high cost of living, Ruto said that the government is keen on increasing supply of food through enhanced production.
He said the cost is set to reduce as a result of interventions put in place including subsidised fertiliser and increasing funding of the agriculture sector.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi praised the county leaders for resolving to work with the government, noting the region is a key linkage to neighbouring Tanzania.
“This is a pathway to Tanzania and other East Africa countries and it is good to back the government. The county is so important in earning foreign exchange,’ Mudavadi said.
He cautioned the opposition leaders against using their communities to perpetrate their evil desires.