KWS tightens security in parks

By Kipchumba Kemei

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has tightened security in all its National Parks and game reserves to avert terrorist attacks.

KWS Director Julius Kipng’etich said they would use all resources and personnel at their disposal for security surveillance.

"We are not leaving anything to chance. We will use all available means to ensure that all visitors in our parks and other attractions are safe," he said.

He added that all the airplanes and vehicles at its disposal have been utilised for security surveillance and asked communities living near parks and reserves to cooperate with law enforcement agencies to ensure safety of tourists.

The tourism industry, according to the latest indicators last year, contributed Sh66 billion to the national economy after tea and floriculture sectors.

According to the Kenya Tourist Board estimates about one million tourists are expected to visit the country this year.

Thursday, Dr Kipng’etich said KWS security personnel have been stationed at all lodges and camps to check on visitors’ arrivals, during game excursions and departures.

He told The Standard no visitors have cancelled bookings since the army entered Somalia to fight Al Shabaab militia group and the twin grenade attacks in Nairobi.

"Despite the latest developments inside and outside the country, we have not received reports of cancellations in the many business establishments in our national parks and game reserves," said Kipng’etich.

He asked proprietors of business establishments in tourist attraction areas within and outside national parks and game reserves to continuously liaise with KWS personnel for the visitors’ safety.

Rigorous checks

KWS, he said, was in the process of installing bombs and metal detectors in all sites under its jurisdiction. He added that all persons including tourists entering parks will have to undergo rigorous security checks.

He said rangers and the police have been deployed along all the international borders to deter foreigners from accessing parks and national reserves.

Kipng’etich explained that despite being involved in many security ventures like containing the rampant human-wildlife conflict and keeping loggers at bay in all important national forests including the Mau, the service still has the capacity, resources and personnel to ensure that tourists are safe.

"Our budget is small but we are happy to be contributing in environmental conservation and ensuring that tourists visiting our parks are safe," he added.

He said Government security personnel who work in partnership have in the last six months managed to contain poaching in all game reserves and national parks.