Locals demand report on ‘secret’ animals transfer

By LEONARD KORIR

Residents living near the Masai Mara are demanding a report from the parliamentary committee that investigated alleged secret relocation of wild animals from the park.

They expressed concern over the delay by the departmental committee on Local government on disclosure of findings of investigations carried out two years ago.

Led by Oloirien ward councillor Nkoidila ole Shira, residents petitioned the Speaker of the National Assembly to compel the committee to table its findings immediately.

The committee led by Wajir North MP Mohammed Gabow toured the area in December 2010 to collect views from stakeholders on allegations of corruption and relocation of wild animals by the management of the game reserve.

The probe came after the area MP, Gideon Konchellah, raised the matter in Parliament.

The management was accused of secretly transferring sporadic hyena species, cheetah and lions’ cubs to private conservancies in Laikipia, Thailand and Tanzania.

However, Mara Conservancy?Chief Executive Officer Brian Heath dismissed all allegations as unfounded.