Kenya Government deploys GSU to Mara entry points

By KIPCHUMBA KEMEI

The Government has deployed the General Service Unit (GSU) to all entry points to the Masai Mara National Reserve following the Westgate Mall terror attack.

All vehicles and people entering the reserve have to undergo rigorous security checks, a survey by The Standard undertook yesterday at the Oloololo, Musiara, Oloolaimutia and Sekenani gates established.

Uniformed and plain clothed police have also been deployed to major lodges, camps and crossing points along the Kenya-Tanzania border, and to all the four airstrips inside the park and others outside it to check on tourists and other arrivals.

The Government says security will be further enhanced, adding that the GSU will work in tandem with regular police and Narok County rangers to ensure safety of tourists as the peak season, which coincides with the migration of wildebeest from the Serengeti plains in Tanzania to the reserve in July fizzles out.

Already, the wildebeest, which came to calve in Mara have started migrating back to the Serengeti.

“GSU who will work with regular police and Narok County rangers to monitor visitor arrivals and movement while on game viewing and hot air balloon expeditions,” said the Mara DO Samuel Buto.