The Star (Nairobi)

Kenya: Taita Hopeful Rejects KWS Plan On Ranches

By Raphael Mwadime, 3 December 2012

A Taita Taveta governor aspirant has opposed a proposal by the Kenya Wildlife Service to turn ranches adjacent to the Tsavo National Park into conservancies.

Elija Mwandoe, who is also the Taita Taveta wildlife forums chair, said KWS wants to grab public land in the name of converting it to wildlife conservancies.

Mwandoe said 80 per cent of wildlife in the region have left the park because of KWS's failure to maintain and conserve the parks.

"KWS has failed to maintain the parks and that is why the human wildlife conflict is on the rise in Taita Taveta. If there was enough water and vegetation, the wildlife would not stray into the villages and ranches," he said.

Mwandoe said he will come up with policies to compel KWS to surrender a section of the park to the locals if he gets elected.

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  • Ed-L
    Dec 5 2012, 01:21
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    If it wasn't so serious, it would be funny that Elija Mwandoe, who is also the Taita Taveta Wildlife Forums Chair is against creating nature conservancies adjacent to Tsavo Nat. Park. Whoever is running against Mr. Mwadoe, I hope he wins. The local people can benefit from these wildlife conservancies rather than having to fight wildlife.