Governor Ntutu: County to build houses for rangers across Mara Reserve

Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu has affirmed the commitment of his administration to improve the welfare of rangers in the county.

The governor said his administration will continue upgrading rangers to National Police Reservists and providing them with uniforms and modern equipment.

Ntutu also said the county government will be constructing houses at various ranger stations across the Mara Reserve to improve the conditions of rangers.

"These are some of the major milestones that my administration has achieved with regard to improving the welfare of our rangers," Ntutu said.

The governor spoke at Maasai Mara National Reserve on Monday when he presided over the commemoration of World Rangers Day.

He termed the day a big moment to celebrate the gallant men and women whom he said have dedicated their lives to protecting wildlife and natural resources.

However, Ntutu noted that even though World Rangers Day has been marked since 2007, there has never been any official celebration in Narok to mark it.

"World Rangers Day, just like other important days, provides us with an opportunity to rally support and initiate conversations around biodiversity conservation and the welfare of our rangers," Ntutu said.

The governor said that the welfare of the rangers has remained a top priority of his administration.

"Over the last nine months, targeted interventions have been enhanced by my administration to ensure that the overall working environment of our rangers is improved," he said.

During the event at the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Ntutu commissioned the Olare Orok water project and inspected the various projects that are currently ongoing in the area including road projects and the rangers' housing projects.

"I reaffirm my administration's commitment to supporting our rangers so that they effectively perform their pivotal role of preserving biodiversity, conserving habitats and combating illegal activities like poaching and deforestation," he said.

World Rangers Day was set aside by UNESCO to commemorate rangers killed or injured in the line of duty and to celebrate the work rangers do to protect the world’s natural and cultural heritage.

The event was also attended by Ntutu's deputy Tamalinye Koech and other top county officials.