Ban on illegal Mara lodges get support

By Philip Mwakio

Members of the Maasai community support the Government’s decision to shut down unlicensed tourist establishments within the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

According to the chairman of the Olkeju Ronkai Limited, Hassan Ole Kamwaro, a firm with interests in the hospitality industry, the decision announced in Mombasa by Tourism Minister, Najib Balala, is warmly welcomed.

"Some unscrupulous businessmen hiding under the guise of foreign investors have set up mobile camps, lodges and hotels that are not licensed, thus denying the Government the much needed revenue," he said.

An audit report, which is yet to be acted on by the Government, he said, revealed shocking statistics that showed out of the 108 tourist establishments within the Mara range, only 29 per cent were operating legally.

Illegal establishments

He wondered why the Government was slow in taking action against the illegal establishments.

"We are more than willing to share information with the Government to smoke out illegal hoteliers, tour operators and camp operators and clean up the Mara once and for all," said Ole Kamwaro.

He told journalists at the weekend that apart from shutting down the illegal operators, the Government should surcharge all illegal businesses.

At the same time, Ole Kamwaro defended the operations of Olkeju Ronkai Camp and termed critics of the proposed investment at the Mara as tripple-X.

The camp sits on the confluence of Olkeju and Mara rivers and comprises of 30 luxury high end tents and is due to start operations later this month.