Tourism players differ over KWS plan to hire out national park sites
Business
By
Philip Mwakio
| Apr 16, 2024
Plans by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to lease sections of national parks to investors have elicited mixed reactions.
KWS plans to lease at least 13 tourist camps to private investors as part of arrangements to boost its revenues.
But renowned environmentalist and nature conservationist Hadley Benny Becha is leading the onslaught against the planned leasing deal. Becha, the executive director of Community Action for Nature Conservation (Canco), says the real problem lies with government policy and pronouncement that all state agencies should generate revenue of a certain proportion.
READ MORE
Kenya Police exit Confederation Cup with heads held high
Battle royale experienced at Interbank Golf event
Cheche: We have a big task at the World Cup next month
KCB's Karan Patel focused on clinching Burundi Rally
Africa Paves the Way for a Greener Future: Global Conference Highlights Ecosystem Revitalisation
Media urged to go digital to tap shifting consumer trends
Jail term, hefty fine for pastors with unregistered churches
Ambitious Awuor eager to leave a mark on her World Cup debut
Experts warn of bureaucratic hurdles in new movable property bill
"This has sent many into panic mode causing some to moot projects even if they are not viable. That is what KWS is doing," he says.
He argues that="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001493094/eight-buffaloes-electrocuted-in-nakuru"> national parks "They were not meant to generate money, the latter is secondary," argues Becha.
According to him, leasing out public property to private enterprises for profit purposes is unacceptable.
Hospitality marketer and chairman of the North Rift Tourism Association Paul Kimeli Kurgat, however, says the process by KWS was long overdue.
"We are growing in all aspects of travel and so there is demand for accommodation. Look at Maasai Mara and try to get accommodation in the July - March period, one would be disappointed," he says. He defended the move, terming it as a well-researched plan that will not affect the existence and survival of wildlife.
A fortnight ago, the state agency announced bids for investors to develop and manage tourism sites in selected national parks it manages.
The sites include Ndololo and Patterson sites at Tsavo East National Park, Kanjaro and River Hippo sites at Tsavo West National Park, Tusk Camp in the Aberdares National Park, Mulika and Fig Tree in Meru National Park as well as Southern bypass sites at Nairobi National Park.
Safaricom consortium gets Sh104b contract for digital health system
The three firms will invest in the project and recover the investment over a 10-year period starting February 2025, delivering 70,000 tablets and 5,000 laptops to public health workers.
Why Kenya-Germany jobs deal is double-edged sword for workers
Up to 250,000 Kenyans could move to the country after a pilot project is launched, raising public concerns among Germans who express skepticism and hostility toward incoming Kenyans
Kenya's nuclear electricity plan faces cost, environment hurdles
Nuclear plants could cost hundreds of billions, while the distribution network is dilapidated. The growing population and expanding middle class have led to increased electricity demand.
Regulation of fintech needs to promote stability, innovation
Fintech innovation, particularly mobile-based, has transformed access to financial services across the region with mobile wallets becoming a lifeline for the unbanked.
Experts call on farmers to grow drought resilient crops
Farmers need to embrace irrigation and growing resilient crops such as cassava, sweet potato, finger millet, and sorghum, as part of climate-smart agriculture.