Conservationist files petition to halt operations of new Mara camp

A section of the Ritz-Carlton safari camp in Maasai Mara. [Courtesy]

An environmental conservationist, Dr Joel Meitamei Olol Dapash, has filed a case at the Environment and Land Court in Narok seeking to halt the operations of a newly established safari camp within the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

In a case, Dapash has sued the Narok County Government, the National Environment Management Authority, and three others, challenging the legality and environmental compliance of the camp's development.

In his application, Dr Dapash has questioned the timeline and approval process for the safari camp's construction.

Dapash wants the court to issue orders restraining the opening and operation of the safari facility, citing that it poses serious threats to the ecological integrity of the reserve and undermines the rights of Indigenous communities.

Justice Lucy N Gacheru, however, declined to certify the matter as urgent for hearing during the court's recess, stating that the threshold for urgency had not been met.

The court directed Dapash to serve all respondents within 7 days of the order. The application will be heard inter partes on October 22, 2025.

The contested safari camp's alleged construction without proper community engagement has raised concerns among conservation groups and Indigenous representatives, many of whom argue that unchecked tourism development could lead to ecological degradation and the displacement of local communities.

The Ritz-Carlton is expected to open the new luxury safari camp in the Maasai Mara, on August 15, 2025. The camp, located on an islet in the Sand River region, will feature 20 luxurious accommodations with private plunge pools and personalised butler service. Bookings are now open, with rates starting at $3,500 per person per night, all-inclusive.